6 Proven Ways to Boost Performance and Connection in Your Remote Team

Sally Brandon
Jul 27
3 min read

Updated: Nov 2

TL;DR

Struggling to manage your remote or hybrid team? Here are 6 proven ways to boost performance and connection:

Set clear expectations – Define responsibilities, deadlines, and metrics.
Talk regularly – Weekly check-ins prevent issues from festering.
Track work consistently – Use simple tools for visibility, not micromanagement.
Ensure inclusion – Give remote workers equal voice and visibility.
Encourage cross-team work – Build real collaboration across locations.
Recognise contributions – Celebrate effort, not just presence.

Skip the stress. Build a remote-friendly culture that works.

Laptop on a wooden table by the beach, blank screen, with a cappuccino, notepad, and pen. Bright, sunny setting with ocean view.

The most successful remote-friendly companies share a key trait: they measure outcomes, not how busy people look. If you're managing a remote or hybrid team, performance isn't about presence; it's about results.

With these 6 tips, you can create a high-performing remote team culture that thrives on clarity, trust, and accountability.

1. Be Clear About Expectations

Remote work doesn’t leave room for guesswork. Every team member should know:

What they’re responsible for
When deliverables are due
How success will be measured
Who they’re accountable to

This isn’t micromanagement; it’s structure. When expectations are unclear, confusion and anxiety fill the gap. Clarity enables autonomy and performance.

2. Talk Regularly - Not Just When Things Go Wrong

Regular one-on-ones are the heartbeat of effective remote leadership. These meetings should:

Happen weekly or fortnightly
Cover progress, roadblocks, and needed support
Include space for both work updates and wellbeing check-ins
Adapt to individual roles and working styles

A 15-minute video call can prevent a week of miscommunication. Don’t wait for problems to surface; stay connected.

Person writing in notebook at desk while video calling four others on a laptop. Desk has headphones, glasses, markers, and lamp. Cozy mood.

3. Agree on How Work Gets Tracked

Remote teams need visibility without turning updates into a full-time job. Choose methods that fit your team:

Project management tools to show work in progress
Team dashboards to track key metrics
Weekly update templates
Stand-ups or team meetings to highlight wins

The right tracking system creates alignment without micromanaging.

4. Make Sure Everyone Feels Included When Managing Your Remote Team

Out of sight should not mean out of mind. Build an inclusive culture by:

Using shared communication channels (not private chats)
Documenting decisions and sharing them transparently
Rotating meeting times across time zones
Giving everyone equal opportunity to contribute

Inclusivity starts with mindset. If one person is remote, treat the whole team as remote.

Woman in orange outfit and hat using a laptop on a sandy beach, surrounded by palm trees. Sky is overcast, creating a serene mood.

5. Get Your Teams Working Together

Remote silos can damage collaboration. Encourage cross-location teamwork by:

Creating project teams with both remote and on-site members
Hosting regular knowledge-sharing sessions
Using real-time collaboration tools
Planning occasional in-person meetups to build relationships

Stronger bonds mean stronger teamwork—regardless of geography.

6. Notice Good Work, No Matter Where It Happens

Recognition often favours those who are most visible, but remote workers need to feel seen too. Prioritise:

Celebrating team achievements across all locations
Highlighting “invisible” behind-the-scenes work
Offering equal access to promotions and opportunities
Gathering feedback on how recognition is given

A little acknowledgment goes a long way toward motivation and retention.

Woman in a straw hat lounges in a pool, holding sunglasses. Laptop and cactus-shaped drink nearby. Sunny, relaxing mood.

Making Remote Work Actually Work

Managing remote teams isn’t about monitoring activity; it’s about building an environment where people can thrive from anywhere. Get it right, and you’ll create a resilient, loyal, and productive team. Get it wrong, and you risk disconnection, frustration, and burnout.