How to Create an Emotional Connection With Remote Employees

Throughout my career leading teams across the United States, Europe, and Asia, I have learned a great deal about managing remote employees. Building a strong connection with team members who sit in another country or time zone requires intention and a different set of leadership skills. When done well, it strengthens engagement, performance, and trust across the entire global organization.

Many senior leaders at corporate headquarters inherit remote employees and are often unprepared for the unique challenges that come with managing people they rarely see. Leading someone who sits a few desks away is very different from leading someone who is twelve hours ahead and navigating a completely different cultural context. Unfortunately, most managers receive little to no training in this area. The result is that remote employees often feel disconnected, overlooked, or unsupported.

I recently came across an article that explored how leaders can create deeper emotional connections with remote teams. If you work in a global environment or collaborate frequently across borders, it is well worth the read.

How to Create an Emotional Connection With Remote Employees

Other Recommended Reading

Different Games, Different Rules: Why Americans and Japanese Misunderstand Each Other by Haru Yamada
This is an excellent resource for anyone doing business in Japan. While the book focuses on Japanese and American communication styles, it provides powerful insights into how cultural norms shape expectations and behaviors. The lessons apply broadly and can help leaders develop more awareness when working across cultures.

The Culture Map: Breaking Through the Invisible Boundaries of Global Business by Erin Meyer
This book is a must-read for anyone working in a global organization. It offers practical frameworks that help leaders understand how different cultures communicate, give feedback, make decisions, and build trust. Whether you work internationally or simply want to expand your understanding of global collaboration, it is an engaging and valuable read.