How to create more meaningful connections when everyone works from home

For companies that have chosen remote work, this COO writes, leaders have to be intentional in their efforts to foster connection and culture.

I’ve always loved the old adage: “You can tell a lot about a person by their shoes”—that people’s interests and personality come through in the small ways they present themselves. Before remote work, back when people actually worked at offices, all this meant was that you could learn a lot about your teammates simply by seeing them in person and absorbing (sometimes unconsciously) little superficial clues. Noticing their workspace, what trinkets or photos they bring, what they choose for lunch, and so on made it much simpler to find common interests and spark up conversations. It created connections that organically contributed to workplace culture.