11/24/22, 7:36 PM The science of building a remote culture

F O L LOW 

.DESIGN TECH WORK LIFE NEWS I M PAC T PODCASTS VIDEO IF360 FA S TC O WO R

The Fast Company Executive Board is a private, fee-based network of influential leaders, experts, executives,
and entrepreneurs who share their insights with our audience.

1 1 -2 3 -2 2 9:00 AM

The science of building a remote culture

While it may seem a challenge, there are steps you can take to build a remote working
community that is every bit as rich in culture as any in-office workplace.

[Images: JenkoAtaman/AdobeStock]






https://www.fastcompany.com/90814570/the-science-of-building-a-remote-culture 1/6
11/24/22, 7:36 PM The science of building a remote culture

BY A N TO N E L L A P I S A N I
F O L LOW 
4 MINUTE READ
.DESIGN TECH WORK LIFE NEWS I M PAC T PODCASTS VIDEO IF360 FA S TC O WO R

While some companies are calling employees back into the office, nearly half of the workforce is still
working remotely at least part of the time. Nearly 15% of all high-paying jobs are now available remotely,
and about half of US workers say they’d be willing to take a pay cut to continue working from home. It
seems inevitable that remote work is not going away anytime soon. 

If your company is planning to keep working remotely, or considering this change, you may wonder how
to build a company culture when employees are rarely (if ever) together in the same building. While it
may seem a challenge, there are actual steps you can take to build a remote working community that is
every bit as rich in culture as any in-office workplace.

A WIDER TALENT POOL

When you’re hiring for remote work positions, it’s a good idea to do so with your desired company
culture and values in mind. Fortunately, remote work companies have the ability to access a wider talent
pool, hiring the best workers from far-flung locations instead of being tied to a specific region or city. 

Train your hiring managers to screen for values in addition to skills and experience. Pose values-based
questions like, “Have you ever been asked to compromise your values on the job? If so, how did you
handle it?” Using these questions alongside standard skills-based inquiries and tests will give you a
good idea of not only how qualified a candidate may be, but also how well they will fit in.

You can also use a tool like Strengthsfinder to better understand the job seeker’s personality. Plot each
successful hire’s results alongside your other team members’ scores to get a clear picture of the group
as a whole. For management, use the Leadership Circle Profile or similar tools. 

A COMMUNITY BUILT ON TRUST 

One of the biggest challenges of a primarily online group dynamic is the loss of tone and body language
in text-based communication. Without these language cues, communication, trust, and community can
be stunted. The good news is that you can make up for this shortcoming by employing a combination of
several intentional strategies to build a healthy community within your team. 

TIPS FOR BUILDING A REMOTE CULTURE THAT WORKS

Schedule Virtual Happy Hours

Regularly schedule time for your team to simply come together and blow off some steam. Invite new
hires to attend these events, even before their first day on the job.

Team-Led Onboarding

https://www.fastcompany.com/90814570/the-science-of-building-a-remote-culture 2/6
11/24/22, 7:36 PM The science of building a remote culture

Get your whole team involved in the onboarding process to help ensure each new member has access
and direct communication with as many team members as possible.  F O L LOW 

.Invest
D E S I G NManagement
TECH WO RK LIFE
Time NEWS I M PAC T PODCASTS VIDEO IF360 FA S TC O WO R

Set up a schedule for all new hires that gives them access to their direct managers for about 15 minutes
a day, every day. 

Feedback And Action

Poll all employees on a routine basis, asking for feedback on all aspects of the company. Act on this
feedback wherever possible. 

Share Kudos

When you get good feedback from clients, be sure to share it with the whole team. Ask your team to
share feedback with one another. 

“Help Me” Chat Rooms

Set up chat rooms with the express intention of encouraging team members to ask for and give help to
others.  

Make Introductions

Use a tool like Slack’s Donut meetings to allow employees from disparate teams to get to know each
other on a personal level. 

Company-Wide Meetings

Bring the entire team together regularly to share transparent information about the health of the
company and its future.

Breakout Rooms

In larger meetings, set up breakout rooms that allow smaller groups to discuss the meeting’s topics and
address any concerns that may be lost in the larger group.

Wellness Challenges

Encourage team members to take part in simple wellness challenges that encourage good health and
friendly competition.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90814570/the-science-of-building-a-remote-culture 3/6
11/24/22, 7:36 PM The science of building a remote culture

Have Fun
F O L LOW 
Take your work seriously, but also ensure your team has a space to have a bit of fun throughout the day.
.Share
D E S I G Npet photos,
TECH W O R K L I Fstories,
personal E N E memes,
WS I Mand
PAC Tjokes,
P Oand
D C A Sencourage
TS VIDEO I F 3 6 0 to
everyone FA S TC O WO R
do the same. Play
“would you rather” or other nonsensical games and let everyone on the team share in the fun.

STAY ACCOUNTABLE BUT FLEXIBLE

It’s best to adopt the motto “trust but verify” when it comes to remote workers. There is no need to be
overly reliant on a set schedule, except where it is important for collaboration. Instead, allow your
workers to set their own schedules (as the work allows). As long as the work gets done, and done well,
does it really matter whether it’s done at 9 a.m. or 9 p.m.? 

Track hours with a tool like Harvest and then compare the output against expected billable percentages,
then only check the details if you notice a discrepancy. If something seems off, chat with the team
member to see if there’s a legitimate reason before assuming the worst.

Remember, a remote workplace should be more flexible than a standard office setting. As long as
everyone is pulling their weight, there’s no reason to closely monitor mouse movements or otherwise
waste time looking over employees’ shoulders. If you’ve hired talented people who fit your company’s
culture and values, then built a trusting relationship with your employees, you should have very little to
worry about in this respect.

Antonella Pisani is the CEO of Eyeful Media. Her digital marketing agency helps mid-market companies
accelerate profitable growth.

Be in the Know. Subscribe to Fast Company Newsletters.

Email

Compass: Our Daily Newsletter Tech Co.Design Impact

SUBMIT Learn more about our newsletters

Privacy Policy

TECH
T EC H

https://www.fastcompany.com/90814570/the-science-of-building-a-remote-culture 4/6
11/24/22, 7:36 PM The science of building a remote culture

The growing army of ‘Grinch bots’ trying to steal Christmas

F O L LOW 
T EC H
.DESIGN TECH WORK LIFE NEWS I M PAC T PODCASTS VIDEO IF360 FA S TC O WO R
Netflix’s strange ‘Glass Onion: Knives Out 2’ release strategy just might work

T EC H
The metaverse isn’t even here yet—but ambient computing is already very real

NEWS
NEWS
The controversial past and present of the World Cup

NEWS
What Biden’s extended student loan pause means for borrowers

NEWS
Boomerang CEOs have a bad track record lately, but Iger’s return makes sense for Disney

CO.DESIGN
CO. D E S I G N
‘Andor’ is a triumph of cinematic world building

CO. D E S I G N
Comcast’s new remote control was designed for—and with—disabled users

CO. D E S I G N
The geometric beauty of pools seen from above

WORK LIFE
WO R K L I F E
The lesson in being laid off

WO R K L I F E
Now that many of us will live to 100, this is what our careers will look like

WO R K L I F E

https://www.fastcompany.com/90814570/the-science-of-building-a-remote-culture 5/6
11/24/22, 7:36 PM The science of building a remote culture

3 ways to attract, win, and retain customers in an uncertain economy

F O L LOW 
Advertise | Privacy Policy | Terms | Notice of Collection | Do Not Sell My Data | Permissions | Help
.DESIGN TCenter
ECH | WAbout
O R K LUs
I F E | Site
NEW S
Map |I M PAC
Fast T P O D&CInc
Company A S T©S 2022V IMansueto
DEO I FVentures,
360 LLC FA S TC O WO R

https://www.fastcompany.com/90814570/the-science-of-building-a-remote-culture 6/6