How can you build team trust and cohesion when leading virtual meetings?

1 Set clear expectations

One of the first steps to build trust and cohesion is to set clear expectations for your virtual team. This includes defining the goals, roles, responsibilities, and norms of your team, as well as the frequency, format, and agenda of your virtual meetings. By clarifying what you expect from your team and what they can expect from you, you can reduce ambiguity, confusion, and conflict, and increase accountability, alignment, and feedback.

2 Establish rapport and connection

Another key factor for building trust and cohesion is to establish rapport and connection with your virtual team members. This means showing genuine interest in them as individuals, not just as workers. You can do this by using icebreakers, check-ins, and personal stories to start or end your virtual meetings, and by creating opportunities for informal and social interactions outside of work. By getting to know your team members on a personal level, you can create a sense of belonging, empathy, and respect.

3 Encourage participation and collaboration

A third tip to build trust and cohesion is to encourage participation and collaboration among your virtual team members. This means creating a safe and inclusive space for everyone to share their ideas, opinions, and feedback, and to listen and learn from each other. You can do this by using interactive tools and techniques, such as polls, quizzes, breakout rooms, and brainstorming sessions, to engage your team in your virtual meetings, and by providing recognition and appreciation for their contributions. By fostering a culture of participation and collaboration, you can enhance creativity, innovation, and performance.

4 Manage conflicts and challenges

A fourth tip to build trust and cohesion is to manage conflicts and challenges that may arise in your virtual team. This means being proactive and transparent in addressing any issues or concerns that may affect your team's work or relationships, and being respectful and constructive in resolving any disagreements or misunderstandings. You can do this by using effective communication skills, such as active listening, paraphrasing, and asking open-ended questions, to understand the root causes and perspectives of your team members, and by using collaborative problem-solving skills, such as brainstorming, prioritizing, and action planning, to find solutions and agreements. By managing conflicts and challenges, you can strengthen trust and cohesion.

5 Celebrate successes and milestones

A fifth tip to build trust and cohesion is to celebrate successes and milestones that your virtual team achieves. This means acknowledging and rewarding the efforts, achievements, and improvements of your team members, both individually and collectively, and sharing the positive feedback and outcomes of your team's work. You can do this by using fun and creative ways, such as games, videos, or virtual parties, to recognize and celebrate your team in your virtual meetings, and by creating a shared vision and purpose for your team's future. By celebrating successes and milestones, you can boost morale, motivation, and loyalty.

6 Seek feedback and improvement

A sixth tip to build trust and cohesion is to seek feedback and improvement for yourself and your virtual team. This means being open and humble to learn from your experiences, mistakes, and feedback, and being willing and committed to improve your skills, behaviors, and results. You can do this by asking for and giving constructive feedback to your team members, both formally and informally, and by using self-reflection and evaluation tools, such as surveys, polls, or journals, to assess your strengths and areas of development. By seeking feedback and improvement, you can demonstrate leadership, credibility, and growth.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?