How to Lead Remote Teams Effectively (Without Losing Your Mind or Your Mojo)
Written by Monique Jordan-Cave
Your Career Bestie
How To Build Remote Team Culture
Hello, fellow Soul Leader,
Welcome to the remote revolution, fellow soul leader.
Whether you’re managing a team of creatives across times zones in music, wrangling marketing minds, or leading production pros in TV—leading remote teams effectively can feel like herding caffeinated squirrels on a Zoom call.
But guess what? You’ve got this.
We’re ditching the stiff, corporate blah-blah and diving into real talk. You don’t need a fancy MBA or a meditation app with bird sounds (unless that’s your thing).
What you do need is clarity, connection, and consistency—aka the power trio of leading like a legend, even from your kitchen table.
Let’s break it down.
1. Connection Over Control: Trust Is the New Currency
You’re not Big Brother.
You’re the Big Energy that keeps your team inspired, empowered, and aligned—even when everyone’s in a different time zone, mood, or coffee level.
Trust in your vibe. Without it, your team turns into stressed-out performers on mute.
Here’s how to build it without micromanaging:
Start check-ins with check-ins for the soul: Ask how they’re really doing, not just what they’re doing.
Be consistent. Show up. Follow through. Let them know you're a rock, not a ghost.
Celebrate the humans behind the work. Birthdays? New cats? Weekly wins? Shine a spotlight.
When people feel seen, safe, and supported, magic happens—even in sweatpants.
2. Clear Is Kind: Set Expectations Like a Pro
Remote chaos loves a blurry brief.
If you're vague, your team will spiral into Slack-silence or ask 27 follow-up questions about the deadline.
Make clarity your love language.
🎯 Be specific about deliverables, timelines, and who's doing what.
🧠 Use ONE collaborative tool (hello, Notion / Trello / Asana / Email / WhatsApp) like your remote team bible.
💬 Question Safehouse. If anyone has any questions, challenges or insights on deliverables, timelines and responsibilities, create a space for them to do so.
When everyone’s rowing in the same direction, and you focus on one type of communication tool, you stop wasting time paddling in circles or causing information stimulation, which is incredibly overwhelming.
3. Meetings That Don’t Suck: Make Every Call Count
Repeat after me: "I will not host a meeting just because it’s Tuesday."
Remote group meetings should be intentional, not eternal. We’re here for purpose, not PowerPoint purgatory.
To lead group meetings that people actually look forward to:
1. Start with a win (break the ice, not their spirit).
2. Set a clear agenda (and stick to it like glue).
3. End with clear action points and a lil' cheerleading.
PSA: Not everything needs a meeting. Sometimes an emoji-laced message is more than enough.
To lead a 1:1 meeting that person actually looks forward to:
Here is my favourite agenda for 1:1’s with my team.
Of course, say hello and enquire about their day. Then shut up!
1. Updates: This is where THEY get to tell YOU FIRST, what they have accomplished and where they are at with their projects and tasks.
2. Questions: This is their safe space to ask you any questions they need to. Where they are stuck. What they are finding challenging.
3. AOB: IF they have not updated you on a specific project, this is YOUR moment to ask THEM questions. And give them any other details or feedback they may need.
PSA: If you follow this process it will lead to a major shift in open communication, autonomy, confidence and trust.
4. Culture Is Still a Thing—Even Over Wi-Fi
Let’s be real: Remote culture gets ghosted fast if you're not careful. And creatives?
We need connection like TikTok needs trends.
Keep the team spirit alive with a few playful and powerful rituals:
Virtual happy hours, game nights, or “show-and-tell” Fridays
A #wins channel for sharing client love, project milestones, or daily high-fives
Themed Slack days: Meme Mondays, Wellness Wednesdays, whatever floats your remote boat
When your people feel like part of something bigger, they show up with more heart, more humour, and a hell of a lot more fire.
5. Feedback Is Fuel—Give It Regularly and Real-ly
Silence isn't golden in the remote world—it's confusing. Your team wants to know if they're rocking it or heading for a rerun.
Here’s how to lead with feedback that lands:
Give it fast, fair, and without feeling. Stick to the facts. Don’t hoard it for quarterly reviews.
Mix praise with pointers. Sandwich it like a pro: "You're awesome, here's what to tweak, you're still awesome."
Ask for feedback, too. Leadership is a two-way street, not a solo spotlight.
Remote leadership isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being present, powerful, and human.
Let’s Wrap This Up, Soul Leader
Leading remote teams effectively isn’t rocket science—but it is energy work.
You’re guiding minds, managing moods, and maintaining momentum across screens and time zones.
Remember this:
💜 Trust trumps control.
💜 Clarity creates calm.
💜 Connection beats chaos.
And if it ever feels like too much, take a deep breath, channel your inner values, and remind yourself: You’re doing better than you think.
💡 What would your remote team say about your leadership vibe right now—energising, exhausting, or somewhere in between?
Let me know in the comments below.
Over to you!
MJx
Please feel free to share this article with a loved one, friend or colleague.
👉 Ready to Lead Like a Legend?
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