10 Team Collaboration Tips for Remote Teams#

Remote work is here to stay. Whether your team is fully distributed or hybrid, effective collaboration requires intentional practices. Here are our top tips for making remote teamwork successful.

1. Establish Communication Norms#

Not everything needs to be a meeting or an instant message. Create clear guidelines:

• Urgent: Direct message or phone call
• Same-day: Channel message
• Non-urgent: Email or async update
• Discussion needed: Schedule a meeting

2. Use Channels Strategically#

Don't let your workspace become a mess of random channels. Organize thoughtfully:

#general - Company-wide announcements
#team-engineering - Department discussions
#project-launch - Specific initiatives
#random - Water cooler chat

3. Embrace Async Communication#

Time zones are a feature, not a bug. Async-first communication means:

• Write detailed context in messages
• Use threads for discussions
• Record video updates instead of live meetings
• Trust teammates to respond when they can

4. Create Documentation Habits#

"If it's not written down, it didn't happen." Document:

• Meeting decisions and action items
• Process changes and why
• Troubleshooting steps and solutions
• Project context and history

5. Schedule Overlap Time#

Even async teams benefit from real-time connection:

• Identify 2-3 hours of daily overlap
• Use this time for meetings and quick syncs
• Respect these hours for collaborative work

6. Make Status Updates Routine#

Keep everyone informed without interrupting:

• Daily standups in a dedicated channel
• Weekly progress summaries
• Blockers flagged immediately
• Wins celebrated publicly

7. Use Video Thoughtfully#

Video builds connection but can be exhausting:

• Video on: 1:1s, important meetings, team bonding
• Video optional: Large group meetings, quick syncs
• Video off: Focus time, when bandwidth is limited

8. Set Boundaries#

Remote work can blur work-life boundaries. Protect your team:

• Define "working hours" for your timezone
• Use status to show availability
• Encourage offline time
• Lead by example

9. Invest in Team Culture#

Connection doesn't happen by accident:

• Virtual coffee chats
• Interest-based channels (#pets, #books, #fitness)
• Celebrate birthdays and milestones
• Occasional in-person gatherings if possible

10. Continuously Improve#

What works today might not work tomorrow:

• Regular retrospectives
• Anonymous feedback mechanisms
• Experiment with new tools and practices
• Stay open to change

Putting It Into Practice#

Start with one or two tips that resonate with your team. Discuss in your next team meeting and agree on specific actions. Then iterate.

Great remote collaboration is a skill that improves with practice. Give your team grace as you figure out what works best.

---

What collaboration tips work for your team? Share with us @commflow on Twitter.