Dear Remote Team Manager
Thank you for raising this important question. Remote team building is both challenging and increasingly prevalent in today’s work environment. The Sixth Level core principles—intrinsic motivation, mutuality, ingenuity, and justness—provide an effective framework for building team cohesion when members are geographically dispersed.
Intrinsic motivation refers to the emotional drive to transcend narrow self-interest in pursuit of mutually rewarding and beneficial outcomes within a community or organization. This drive stems from a common sense of purpose that supersedes physical distance and serves as a unifying force. Dedicate time to discussing the purpose of the team’s work together. The discussion itself will strengthen bonds as team members exchange their attitudes and beliefs about shared objectives. Moreover, this collective sense of purpose will guide the team’s decision-making across distances.
Additional tips for developing Intrinsic Motivation:
- Solicit feedback and participation. Involve them in planning and decision-making. Empower the team members to share ideas.
- Give team members, as much as possible, a choice about what they are responsible for and managing their time.
- Don’t micromanage.
- Give supportive feedback on their growth and path.
- Celebrate wins (Kotter)
Mutuality refers to mutual empathy where concern flows bidirectionally. Schedule intentional time for team members to know each other beyond their functional roles. Consider opening meetings by inviting each person to share their current highs and lows, whether personal or professional. This practice deepens emotional connection and cultivates genuine care among team members.
Additional tips for developing Mutuality:
- Being personal – make time for personal talk – personal updates, weekend plans, hobbies, and the like.
- Avoid silos and isolation – transparency, over-communicate, use video.
- Connect work to mission and identify how the team is contributing to that mission.
Ingenuity refers to the capacity to develop novel solutions that serve the interests of many. Engage the team in generating ideas about how to build connection despite geographical separation. Their collective creativity may yield innovative approaches you have not considered.
Additional tips for developing Ingenuity:
- Focus on results and impact, rather than hours online.
- Find their passion and cultivate it as part of work tasks.
- Solicit creativity, stretch the boundaries, and provide constructive responses.
- Offer development opportunities – and do it as a team when possible.
Justness refers to fairness where individual rights foster a sense of safety that ensures the well-being and prosperity of the larger community. In remote teams, it is imperative that members feel heard, valued, and mutually accountable. Strong listening skills and effective conflict resolution practices are essential to ensuring justness, particularly when physical presence cannot facilitate natural rapport and understanding.
Additional tips for developing Justness:
- Don’t create a surveillance culture.
- Make the path for success clear, and deliver recognition when they do.
The capacity to form remote teams opens exciting collaboration opportunities that were previously unattainable. While this evolution brings new challenges, The Sixth Level framework provides a robust approach for navigating them successfully. I wish you well as you guide your remote team in building upon their collective strengths and fostering meaningful connection across distances.
~ The Sixth Level