We don’t always realize we’re disconnected until we are. 
In fast-paced, remote environments, you can move through a full week of messages, meetings, and milestones — and still feel like something is missing. 

Our team is spread across locations, roles, and time zones — and the pace of work doesn’t slow down. In that kind of environment, staying connected doesn’t just happen; it takes intention. 

One thing that’s helped me — and hopefully the people I work with — is building micro-rituals: small, repeatable moments that help us reset, reconnect, and shift our mindset. None of them are flashy or complex. Most of it is lightweight, but intentional. Here’s what that looks like in practice: 

• Monday “Morning Roast” – A casual, small group check in where we catch up about the weekend before diving into the work. It’s not long or rigidly structured — just a way to reset and shift into the week with a clearer head (and of course, coffee).

• Weekly Gratitude Prompts in Teams – Every Monday, I post a rotating prompt — usually something like, “What’s one thing you’re hoping for this week?” We check back in on Friday to share wins, big or small. Sometimes people post photos, share about hobbies, or just celebrate surviving a busy week. It’s organic, personal, and a reminder that gratitude doesn’t have to be formal to be powerful. 

• Book Club – A space for the book lovers on our team to share what they’re reading and why they love it. It’s low pressure and often sparks great ideas, even outside of work. And no homework, of course. 

• Casual Outreach – I try to send quick hellos or check ins throughout the week — not just within my department, but across teams. It’s helped me get to know colleagues I wouldn’t otherwise cross paths with and made it easier to loop them in when collaboration eventually overlaps. 

Outside of team rituals, I also have personal ones — the biggest being a daily gratitude practice. Every morning, I write down 5 to 10 things I’m grateful for. It’s quiet, reflective, and nothing elaborate — but it helps me notice what’s working, stay flexible when things shift, and lead with more humility. 

None of this is complicated. But over time, these moments build something meaningful: connection, rhythm, and a sense that you’re not just working on a screen, but with the people behind it. 

As we continue to work in more hybrid ways, I’m learning that culture doesn’t have to start with big budgets or large-scale events. Often, it’s built in the small stuff — the check ins, the rituals, the reminders that we’re human.

And to be human is to connect.