You're working remotely and need to build trust with your team. What are the most effective tools?

Video conferencing is effective; however, removing other distractions and staying focused during the conversation is essential. The other thing to consider is that neurodiversity can affect how people receive and process information in a virtual environment. I find it helpful to ask the other person what virtual environment and settings work best for them.

Flexibility in work arrangements and understanding personal situations show empathy, contributing to a more trusting and supportive team culture.

Once of the most effective tools you can use to build trust on your team while working remotely is video conferencing. As a remote team member, outside of your team chat video conferencing is all you have to rely on to see each other and talk. To continue to build trust you will need to set aside daily or weekly times to meet and video conference so team members can actually see each other and not just hear each other.

Turn the camera on and tell us about yourself. Who are you and what do you like to do? What are your strengths and where do you need guidance or help?

Video communication is a great way to get closer to each other. I think it can be applied in two scenarios: The first is to discuss work content. Choose a fixed time every week to discuss recent progress and next arrangements with partners, as well as issues that need to be confirmed with each other; The second is the sharing of daily life. During breaks or holidays, you can have a video chat with your partners to learn more about each other's real life situation and personality characteristics, and become more familiar with them.

Another effective tool you can use to build trust on your team while working remotely is utilizing collaboration platforms. This could include Microsoft teams, Skype , etc. These platforms will be key in helping establish and maintain trust amongst your team members.

Set up a WhatsApp chat group and have one person responsible for collecting, filtering and publishing the latest news related to the industry every day to ensure that team members can obtain important information closely related to their work in a timely manner. Everyone can also express their views and opinions on this information.

Team-building is most effective when members are sharing personal stories and creating meaningful connections with one another. If there's a large group, dividing the group into smaller group discussions allows people to connect and dive deeper into the discussion. Switching groups and allowing people to connect with as many people as possible without diluting the experience is also a powerful booster.

Virtual team building activities can also be an effective tool you can use to build trust on your team while working remotely. Having team building activities such as team jeopardy against another team within your organization for example is a great way to use virtual activities.

Understand the role and scope of responsibilities of each member of the team. When you need to confirm relevant information, you can quickly contact the corresponding person and complete the work connection.

I like handling feedback surveys in two parts: 1. Allowing participants to share their thoughts through writing or video, and 2. Have a follow-up discussion to allow them to fill in the gaps further and discuss their feedback.

Feedback surveys, or just feedback in general, from the remote team is super helpful. Without being able to scoot into a boss's office physically, they can scoot into the survey instead. Asking relevant questions gets you relevant answers, so asking the right questions is also important.

Maintain separate contact with everyone in the team, give each other respect, encouragement and support, and let the other party feel your sincerity and efforts.

In my opinion, personal check-in are the most important. You can use all of the technology under the Sun but at the end of the day you need a personal connection with each of your team members to make them feel part of the team. By all means use technologywhether it be video, message or email, but you need to connect on a personal level rather than just a tick in the box exercise.

Perhaps check-ins carry the most weight, as they're often delivered outside the scheduled calendar. They demonstrate that you are thinking about the person and care for their well-being, and go a long way towards building trust.

Get the guidelines out, folks! Unless you want to work like you're living in the Wild, Wild West, working with remote teams without communication guidelines can cause things to get out of hand. (it's bound to happen) Do employees know which communication channels to use when sending files, folders, emojis, rants, opinions, professional communication, etc? If not, now would be a good time to write down what meaningful communication looks like for your remote team, which tools to use, when, and how to use them.

During my 12 years at Google I collaborated with teams across 5 continents daily and managed a team of direct reports at HQ while regularly working on projects in our international offices for months at a time. I now have consulting clients across the globe - most of whom I've never met in real life. Any success I have had in these management relationships comes back to sincerity and frequency of communication. It is key to care deeply about your teammates. When we feel trusted, respected and cared about we work seamlessly and transparently. Alternatively, when we are out of step, frustrated or fail it can always be traced back to infrequent or unclear communications. These "soft skills" cannot be underestimated!

used time sheets to show our time working. also we must do our job true to our task from our sprints. we work together, not island working

One thing I’ve learned is communication is key, particularly in a remote work environment. Check-ins or even picking up the phone to close the loop on a time sensitive matter can help build rapport, connection, and trust. Technology is great but human connection is essential.

The energy you put towards others is the energy you get back. When building trusting relationships with others, regardless of where they live, your approach towards them must be taken with authenticity and vulnerability; otherwise, your efforts will fall short. It has to feel meaningful to you for others to connect meaningfully. Lastly, being in service to others is the best gift that you can give yourself. If someone needs your support or an empathetic listener, you respond to their needs from a place of service, and you don't need anything in return. In that case, both parties will feel the elevated connectedness from your approach and this heartfelt exchange.