Remote But Not Removed: Culture in a Distributed Workplace

 

In 2020, remote work was not permanent. It was something people adjusted to. Now, in 2025, remote working is our new normal. When we think of our work culture, we think of shared coffee corners. When we think of workplace culture, we think of a shared physical place. We think of meeting in a boardroom. Transitioning duties to online boardrooms via Zoom was not the hardest part of working remotely. The challenge - embracing work culture without physical proximity.

I learned that culture does not rest in coffee corners; it lives within communication, long-held traditions, and trust. The world of the workplace tradition can be transposed to the virtual world of Zoom. In 2020, I held virtual Friday group check-ins with my team and "donut chats" with colleagues I would likely never meet in person. I learned how to build connection intentionally and not accidentally.

We may not be in the same office, but we share a common purpose, and that's enough to build culture anywhere.