ONE TEAM. ONE DREAM. 2024 STYLE.

The world of work has changed. For many of us, "going to the office" now means walking from the bedroom to the living room. While remote work offers incredible flexibility and benefits, it also presents a unique challenge: how do we build a strong, unified team when everyone is miles apart and sometimes have never met in person?

At Shift, we've been grappling with this very question. As a software consultancy, collaboration is in our DNA. But with a growing team spread across various locations, we knew we had to be intentional about cultivating a sense of "we" in a remote world.

The Challenges of Remote Teamwork

Let's be honest, remote work can sometimes feel isolating. Spontaneous water cooler conversations and casual hallway run-ins are replaced with scheduled video calls and instant messages. It's easier for miscommunications to arise, and for individuals to feel disconnected from the larger team.

This disconnect can lead to:

• Siloed working: Team members may feel less inclined to share information or collaborate across departments.
• Decreased morale: Isolation and lack of social interaction can take a toll on employee well-being.
• Reduced innovation: When people don't feel connected, they're less likely to brainstorm, share ideas, and come up with creative solutions.
• Getting straight to business: Small talk can be hard over video conferencing which may lead to people just talking about the tasks at hand and not getting to know each other on a deeper level

Shifting Towards "We": Our Strategies

We recognized these challenges early on and took proactive steps to build a remote culture that prioritizes connection and collaboration. Here are a few of our key strategies:

• Culture Events: We’ve had our fair share of cringing ones but we’ve been able to find meaningful connection in these fun events. We’ve hosted game nights, Yappy Hour (everyone shares their pet), virtual office olympics. These events get people out of their day-to-day and sometimes comfort zones to be able to connect with other
• In-person Holiday Party: This event is key to our organze so we at least get to see our remote folk once a year
• Intentional Communication: We encourage frequent communication through various channels – not just for work-related matters, but also for social interaction. Think virtual coffee breaks, online team-building activities, and dedicated Slack channels for sharing non-work-related interests.
• The Buddy System: Every employee is paired with a "buddy" from a different team. This fosters cross-departmental relationships and provides a built-in support system. We give them talking points if they need but encourage organize, personal connection.

Critical But Humble

One of the most powerful concepts we've embraced is the idea of being "critical but humble." This means being critical of the work you put out there but putting the collective good above individual agendas. It's about celebrating team wins, supporting each other through challenges, and recognizing that we're all working towards a common goal.

In a remote environment, it's easy for individuals to feel like they're operating in their own little bubbles. But by fostering a sense of shared purpose and collective identity, we can break down those silos and create a truly unified team.

Building "We": Your Action Plan

Whether you're a team leader or a team member, here are a few things you can do to cultivate a stronger sense of "we" in your remote team:

• Reach out and connect: Schedule a virtual coffee chat with a colleague you haven't spoken to in a while.
• Anonymous surveys: Make sure you’re in tune with how the team is feeling, get their feedback regularly
• Share your knowledge: Offer to help a teammate who might be struggling with a project.
• Celebrate successes: Publicly acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of others.
• Participate in team-building activities: Join that virtual game night or online team lunch.

By taking these small steps, we can all contribute to a more connected, collaborative, and ultimately, more successful remote team. Because when we prioritize "we," everyone wins.

This article was written by Mackenzie Ostrem, VP of Client Services