How to turn virtual teams into real communities

Many organizations face significant metamorphoses in the work from home era. Business practices are evolving rapidly, from procurement and manufacturing to marketing, customer service and beyond. Digitally-enabled remote working has its advantages: efficient distribution work, productivity gains from time spent commuting, fewer interruptions, and often greater autonomy.

While many of these changes have been positive, one challenge that we see with many of our coaching clients has to do with their internal cultures The feeling of belonging to a community and a “team” is dwindling.

Today’s workplace may be digital, but humans remain resolutely analog. What happens to corporate cultures when our inherent need for human connection, thought partners, teammates and our “community of colleagues” are permanently disrupted?

The importance of community

Community, by definition, is a feeling of fellowship with others as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals. What we took for granted in the walks from conference rooms to our desks are now the essence of what’s missing from our virtual work lives. How can we reconcile the lack of emotional connection and shared experience we had with colleagues now that the world has leaned into a different style of working?