In a hybrid work environment, fostering a sense of belonging is crucial for remote team members. We asked ten CEOs and founders for their insights on creating an inclusive atmosphere, from scheduling face-to-face connections to prioritizing active listening. Discover how to bridge the gap and cultivate meaningful connections within your remote or hybrid team with these actionable strategies.
- Schedule Face-to-Face Connections
- Maintain Consistent Touchpoints
- Emphasize Regular Communication
- Implement Team-Building Activities
- Assign Remote Champions
- Share Meeting Notes and Recordings
- Establish Virtual Team Rituals
- Delegate Ownership of Key Projects
- Check On Team Members Individually
- Prioritize Active Listening
Schedule Face-to-Face Connections
At VPN.com, we understand that remote work can sometimes feel isolating. To combat this, we’ve made it a priority to create a sense of belonging and connection for all our team members, regardless of where they’re located.
We believe in the power of face-to-face interactions, even if they’re virtual. We schedule regular video meetings, not just for work updates but also for casual chats and team-building activities. It’s about seeing each other’s faces, hearing each other’s voices, and building those personal connections that are so important for teamwork and camaraderie.
We also encourage our teams to find ways to connect organically. Whether it’s virtual coffee breaks, online game nights, or even just a quick chat over Slack, we want our remote employees to feel like they’re part of a vibrant and supportive community.
My advice to others is simple: Don’t underestimate the power of human connection. Make time for virtual face-to-face interactions, encourage casual conversations, and find ways to celebrate your team’s successes together.
Remember, a remote team can be just as connected and engaged as an in-person one, with the right tools and a little bit of effort.
Michael Gargiulo
Founder, CEO, VPN.com
Maintain Consistent Touchpoints
Consistency is key when fostering a sense of belonging for remote or hybrid teams. We maintain regular touchpoints through weekly meetings, scheduled one-on-ones, and consistent feedback loops. My advice: Ensure these interactions are predictable and reliable, so team members feel continuously connected and valued, regardless of location.
Tom McCarron
Co-Founder, Algebra
Emphasize Regular Communication
Building a sense of belonging for remote or hybrid team members isn’t just about virtual coffee breaks. At Southwestern Rugs Depot, we emphasize regular, meaningful communication. We’ve established weekly check-ins that aren’t just about project updates but more about how everyone is doing. This creates a culture where people feel genuinely cared for, which strengthens their bond with the company and each other.
Transparency is key. We share company goals, successes, and even challenges openly with the team. When employees understand the bigger picture and see their role in it, they feel more connected and valuable. This transparency extends to our decision-making processes, where we invite input from the team, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration.
One piece of advice for others would be to make team-building personal. Instead of generic team-building exercises, tailor activities to your team’s interests. For instance, we once had a virtual rug design contest. It was fun, aligned with our work, and let everyone showcase their creativity. This not only made the team feel more connected but also highlighted the unique contributions of each member.
Connor Butterworth
CEO & Owner, Southwestern Rugs Depot
Implement Team-Building Activities
Creating a sense of belonging for remote and hybrid team members is crucial to our culture. One effective step we took was to implement regular virtual team-building activities that encourage genuine connections. For example, we organized monthly “Coffee Connect” sessions where team members could casually chat, share experiences, and even discuss personal interests outside of work.
Additionally, we established a dedicated online channel for team celebrations, allowing everyone to recognize milestones, birthdays, and achievements. This initiative has made our team feel more connected, regardless of their location. One piece of advice for others is to prioritize open communication. Encourage team members to share their thoughts and feelings about their work environment.
Since implementing these strategies, we’ve seen a notable increase in team engagement and collaboration, with a 31% improvement in project completion rates. By building a sense of belonging, we not only enhance team morale but also drive overall productivity.
Chaitsi Ahuja
Founder & CEO, Brown Living
Assign Remote Champions
We have instituted the role of Remote Champions within each department—people who are responsible for ensuring remote team members are fully integrated during meetings, decision-making processes, and social activities. This role has significantly increased engagement and inclusivity, making sure no one feels left out because of their location.
Also, ensure that all team members have access to reliable, high-quality tech equipment. This reduces technical barriers that can alienate remote workers and hinder their ability to contribute effectively during virtual meetings and collaborative sessions.
Alari Aho
CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
Share Meeting Notes and Recordings
In the early days of going remote, one of our team members mentioned feeling out of the loop during meetings. We quickly introduced asynchronous communication tools and made it a rule that meeting notes and recordings were shared with everyone, no matter their location. This transparency bridged the gap and made everyone feel equally involved.
Create a culture of inclusivity where every team member, regardless of location, feels heard and valued. It’s not just about work; it’s about ensuring that everyone feels like a vital part of the company’s success.
Sahil Kakkar
CEO & Founder, RankWatch
Establish Virtual Team Rituals
As our company scales, creating a sense of belonging for remote and hybrid team members has been a priority. We’ve focused on fostering connection and inclusion through intentional communication and regular engagement. One key step is establishing virtual team rituals—whether it’s weekly check-ins, virtual coffee breaks, or team-wide updates where we celebrate individual and team successes. These routines help maintain a sense of community and keep everyone in the loop, regardless of location.
We also created a mentorship and buddy system for new hires to help them integrate faster. This ensures remote team members don’t feel isolated and have immediate connections within the company from day one.
Liudas Kanapienis
CEO, Ondato
Delegate Ownership of Key Projects
At RecurPost, we foster belonging by giving remote team members ownership of key projects. For example, each person is assigned responsibility for specific product features or client relationships, making them accountable for success. They present their progress to the entire company in monthly meetings, which ensures visibility and recognition across teams. This approach gives remote workers a clear sense of purpose and connection to the company’s overall mission.
My advice is simple: delegate ownership, not just tasks. When team members have full control over a project’s outcome, they feel more invested in the company’s success and build stronger relationships with their colleagues, no matter where they are.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Check On Team Members Individually
Make time to call people individually and check on them. Ask them how they’re really doing and what you can do to support them. This will improve your connection with them, increase trust, and increase productivity.
Mike Veny
CEO & Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®, Mike Veny, Inc.
Prioritize Active Listening
At our company, we prioritize creating a sense of belonging for all our team members through key initiatives. We hold regular virtual check-ins, monthly career-development discussions, and team-building activities to foster personal connections and genuine investment in our employees. We actively encourage inclusive communication by ensuring everyone can contribute during meetings and by creating open dialogue channels through various Slack groups.
Additionally, we host weekly virtual social gatherings where we reimburse team members for their lunch, fostering casual conversations and relationship-building. We also organize monthly social events hosted by rotating departments that are fun and competitive, helping to build camaraderie and community.
Also, celebrating achievements is vital; we use a recognition platform to highlight successes and those who embody our core values and guiding principles. My advice to others is to prioritize active listening, proactive outreach, and responsiveness to the needs of all team members, particularly remote employees. By investing in relationship-building initiatives and having thoughtful and empathetic leaders, you can significantly enhance team cohesion and belonging across your organization, especially in a hybrid work setting.
Kevin Frank
Chief People Officer, RentSpree