What to do when your team stops teaming...

Ever since COVID, remote work has become the norm. Many companies are now fully remote or at least hybrid, and while this brings significant advantages, it also presents its challenges.

For context, we've been remote since before COVID made it cool, so we've seen the good, the bad, and the disconnected.

We all know the benefits: no commutes, flexibility, work-life balance, yada yada yada.
But sometimes, remote work can turn your team into a group of individuals working alone instead of together.

That's when your team stops teaming.

So why does teamwork sometimes fall apart remotely?
- It can be isolating, you lose human connection
- You miss nonverbal cues
- Without informal communication, cohesion fades
- Async communication can slow momentum
- Overcommunication can burn people out
- and sometimes, tech fails, dropped calls, lag, 'can you hear me now?'😅

What's the result?
Engagement drops, momentum stalls, and your team becomes a collection of solos.

But good news! This is all fixable. The fix isn’t fancy; it doesn’t require some overpriced piece of software or some consultant in an expensive suit. It’s about rebuilding small moments of connection. Here are a few suggestions to help you get your team teaming again.

✅ Keep daily check-ins short and human. Don't just talk tasks, connect.
✅ Celebrate everything: Big wins, small wins, birthdays, even pet milestones.
✅ Have casual hangouts: Virtual coffee breaks or open chats. Connect as people.
✅ Break the routine: Play games, have mini events. We have tech talks and gaming sessions.
✅ Have a random channel: Memes, hobbies, dog pics, it matters more than you think.
✅ Give quiet voices space to participate.
✅ Occasionally meet in person: We do it yearly, it helps.
✅ Keep social time unstructured: The best bonding often happens in chaos.

Remote work isn't the problem; disconnection is. Keep your team human, engaged, and connected. Because when your team stops talking, it stops teaming.