How to Keep Teams Connected and Engaged Across Locations
As remote and hybrid work models have become the norm, company culture has taken a hit. It’s not that the values went away; the daily reinforcement that once happened in shared spaces, team lunches, or hallway chats now has to be reimagined. We’re now seeing that culture doesn’t just survive on mission statements; it needs intentional effort, especially when teams are spread across the country.
What’s Changed
In the hybrid era, onboarding feels flatter, informal interactions are rare, and some teams feel more like a collection of individual contributors than a cohesive unit. Many leaders are unsure how to rebuild connections or create a strong team identity when not everyone is physically present. Hybrid has unlocked flexibility, though it has also exposed issues where culture was never truly created.
Culture is Built in the Everyday Moments
The truth is, culture is about consistent, everyday actions. As Harvard Business Review put it,
“Culture isn’t something you fix once and forget—it’s built every day through the choices leaders and teams make.”
That means creating rituals that work virtually, giving people space to speak up, and ensuring recognition and growth aren’t solely for those in the office. It takes ongoing effort to ensure all team members feel equally seen, heard, and valued regardless of location.
How We Do It at Pivotal
At Pivotal, we’ve been a fully remote company since day one and just celebrated our 8th year! We know strong culture doesn’t happen by accident. That’s why we hold regular team meetings, build in fun games and activities, celebrate wins across the team, and send thoughtful gifts for birthdays and milestones. These simple touchpoints keep our team aligned, supported, and genuinely connected.
What You Can Do Next
Maintaining culture in a hybrid world takes more than good intentions. Here are a few practical steps we recommend:
- Run a confidential survey on culture and connection. What’s working, what’s not, and how people feel.
- Add recurring “culture check-ins” that aren’t performance reviews; just space to talk, listen, and adjust.
- Review your onboarding experience and determine if it creates early connections and gives new hires a real feel for your values.
- Assign culture champions across teams to keep initiatives alive and aligned.
- Monitor engagement trends and revise what’s not working—culture needs upkeep, not guesswork.
For more on how remote work shapes culture, check out our blog post The Hidden Impact of Remote Work.
Let’s Make it Happen Together
Culture doesn’t thrive on its own; it needs to be nurtured, checked in on, and sometimes re-imagined to keep growing strong. It takes intention, feedback, and often a fresh set of eyes. If you’re looking to strengthen your team with the right talent, Pivotal is here to help. As your recruitment partner, we go beyond filling roles—we bring strategic insight and a proven process that supports long-term hiring success. Discover how our tailored recruitment services can help you build a stronger, more connected team.