How to Build Connection in Remote and Hybrid Teams: Strategies for Meaningful Interactions That Overcome the Screen

Most of us have been there: sitting in a cubicle with fellow coworker’s keys clacking away next to us, the sound of office phones ringing nonstop, scrambling to find somewhere to meet because all the meeting rooms are booked up…maybe even setting your laptop aside for a bit to go chit chat with your work bestie between assignments (it’s OK, we won’t tell anyone). 

Just five years ago, this was the daily norm for most American workers. In fact, before the COVID-19 pandemic, only 6% of employed workers found themselves working primarily from home and about three-quarters of workers had never worked from home (NCCI). 

In the era of remote and hybrid work, fostering genuine connections among team members has become both a challenge and a necessity. The absence of spontaneous office interactions can lead to feelings of isolation, making it crucial to implement intentional strategies that bridge the physical gap. And just because it’s been years since that switch up from in-office to a remote and hybrid world doesn’t mean all companies have found a good formula for navigating that connection. 

Does this sound like a company you may know? Don’t worry—you don’t have to tell us if it’s your own or not 😉 But admitting that there’s an issue when it comes to connection amongst your remote or hybrid teams just means you’re taking the first step to fixing it. 

Here’s how to bring some humanity (and maybe even fun) back into the virtual workspace:

The Importance of Intentional Communication

Ask yourself: When was the last time you sent a Slack or Teams message to a coworker where you had zero intention of talking about work? 

Communication in remote settings often defaults to task-oriented exchanges, which, while efficient, can lack the personal touch that builds relationships—you know, like when you’d stop by your coworker’s desk to just ask about their weekend or pop your head in your boss’ office to just chat. 

For instance, starting meetings with personal check-ins, casual conversations, or even seasonal ice breakers can humanize interactions. Initiating a meeting with a simple question like, "What's one thing you're looking forward to this week?" can set a positive tone and encourage openness. But remember: don’t make it work-focused. All that’s going to do is loop back around to a professional exchange instead of a human exchange!

Maybe you don’t lead as many meetings. Instead, set aside some recurring time on your calendar for one day every week for 30 minutes, dedicated to reaching out to people on your team to just ask them how they’re doing, what plans they’ve got coming up, if they’re excited for XYZ event coming up, or just a question you’ve always wanted to know about them. 

Just because you’re coworkers doesn’t mean you’re corporate robots. Make an effort to get to know those you work with. 

Creating Shared Experiences

Ask yourself: What’s one small ritual your team could start that has nothing to do with productivity and everything to do with belonging?

Office culture used to be full of built-in rituals—grabbing coffee before meetings, Friday lunches, celebrating birthdays in the break room. But just because your team isn’t in the same physical space doesn’t mean those moments have to disappear.

Instead, reinvent them for the digital age. Try “Coffee Chats,” a 15-minute unstructured chat where employees from different departments are randomly paired up and no one’s allowed to talk shop. Or host a monthly “scavenger hunt” where one person comes up with a list of items, and employees—whether remote or hybrid—have to run around their house or office to find items that fit the theme and go over why they chose it. 

Rituals don’t have to be grand to make a difference, they just have to be consistent. The predictability gives people something to look forward to, something that reminds them they’re part of a community, not just a collection of Zoom squares.

Give Recognition Generously and Often

Ask yourself: When’s the last time you celebrated a small win on your team—not just a big one?

When employees work remotely, their wins can easily go unseen. There’s no spontaneous “Nice work on that project!” in the hallway or applause in the conference room. That lack of visibility can make recognition feel transactional or (unfortunately) nonexistent.

One way to fix that? Celebrate often, and make it personal. Try adding a “wins” channel to Slack, shout people out in team meetings, or send an unexpected kudos message that doesn’t just say “great job,” but highlights why their contribution mattered.

We get it! Work is busy. When we’re virtual, we get so caught up in our space that sometimes we forget that there may be dozens of other people who deserve a quick 15-second piece of recognition. 

You can even turn recognition into an event. Run a quarterly “Team Awards” session with lighthearted categories like “Most Likely to Keep the Team Laughing” or “Zoom Background MVP.” It’s small gestures like these that remind your team that their effort is seen and appreciated.

Prioritizing Psychological Safety

Ask yourself: Would everyone on your team feel comfortable admitting a mistake—or speaking up with an idea—in your next meeting?

Connection isn’t just about social moments; it’s about trust. Teams that feel safe being honest and vulnerable with each other naturally communicate better, collaborate more creatively, and recover faster from setbacks.

When we’re in the office next to each other in a meeting room, you can easily tell when people have uncomfortable body language, if eyes are rolled, or if resistance is there. On a virtual meeting though…voices are muted, cameras are off, and multiple Zoom pages make it a little harder to see people who may not feel as comfortable to speak up. 

Creating a safe environment starts with leadership. Model openness by sharing your own challenges, asking for feedback, and showing appreciation when others do the same. Encourage curiosity over criticism when mistakes happen. If something goes wrong, frame it as a learning opportunity instead of a failure.

Psychological safety doesn’t happen overnight, but with consistency, it transforms how teams operate—from cautious collaboration to genuine connection.

Embracing Flexibility and Inclusivity

Ask yourself: Are your “connection efforts” actually inclusive—or do they accidentally leave certain people out?

One of the biggest perks of remote and hybrid work is flexibility. But if you’re not careful, that same flexibility can also create disconnects, especially when it comes to how and when people interact. For example, not everyone lives in the same time zone, has the same home setup, or feels comfortable turning their camera on during every call. True connection requires making space for those differences, respecting them, and not ignoring them.

Start by being intentional about scheduling and participation. Rotate meeting times if your team spans multiple time zones. Record important sessions for anyone who can’t attend live (and don’t punish those who can’t attend live). For team-building events, offer different formats—some people might love a group trivia session, while others may prefer a more low-key shared experience like a virtual workshop or guided activity.

Inclusivity also means recognizing that not everyone connects the same way. Extroverts might thrive in chatty team calls, while introverts might prefer written forms of connection—like asynchronous “get to know you” prompts or shared interest channels. The goal isn’t to force everyone into the same mold, but to create multiple ways for people to engage in a way that feels natural to them.

Bringing it all together

Ask yourself: When’s the last time your team did something together that was purely for fun?

Heck, we spend so much time at work that let’s be honest…work should have some joy baked in.

Building connection in remote and hybrid teams doesn’t happen by accident. Iit happens by design. Every message, every ritual, every check-in, every fun moment is a chance to bridge the distance between screens and hearts.

While it might take some experimenting to find what sticks, the key is consistency. Keep showing up, keep making space for human moments, and keep finding ways to remind your team that they belong—even when they’re miles apart.

Connection reminds everyone that they’re not just coworkers—they’re teammates, collaborators, and, in many cases, friends.

That’s where curated team experiences come in handy. Think virtual escape rooms, creative workshops, or seasonal celebrations. Experiences hosted by Confetti aren’t just entertaining; they spark real interaction and give people a reason to connect outside their to-do lists.