Working Alone, Together: Fighting Loneliness on Remote Teams
Photo by Kristina Tripkovic on Unsplash
FACT: Absenteeism attributed to stress and loneliness costs U.S. employers an estimated $154 billion annually, according to a 2022 article published in the Journal of Organizational Effectiveness: People and Performance.
FACT: In the 2023 advisory, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy warns of an 'epidemic of loneliness and isolation' that the pandemic has exacerbated.
FACT: Buffer's 2023 State of Remote Work report surveyed 3000 global remote workers, with roughly 98% wanting to work remotely at least some of the time for the remainder of their career. On the other hand, one in three remote workers said their biggest struggle is staying home too often because they don't have a reason to leave.
Remote work has unlocked flexibility, autonomy, and access to talent across time zones, but it’s also quietly ushered in a new workplace challenge: loneliness. When community becomes a casualty of convenience, the impact can ripple through productivity, engagement, and mental health. So how can leaders cultivate belonging across screens? Let’s explore strategies grounded in empathy, intention, and evidence.
Why Loneliness Matters in Remote Work
Research from Buffer’s State of Remote Work shows loneliness consistently ranks as one of the top challenges for remote employees.
Gallup and Harvard Business Review have linked social connection at work with higher engagement, lower burnout, and improved performance.
Loneliness isn’t just uncomfortable; it can affect cognitive function, motivation, and physical health.
Building Connection: Evidence-Based Strategies for Leaders
1. Reflect on What’s Working
Why it matters:
Every remote team is different. Self-awareness helps leaders fine-tune what strengthens culture.
How to apply it:
Gather feedback regularly via short, open-ended pulse checks.
Review engagement metrics and qualitative signals from meetings.
Invite team members to co-create rituals that matter to them.
2. Recognize Meaningfully
Why it matters:
Recognition isn’t just a feel-good exercise—it reinforces belonging.
How to apply it:
Acknowledge contributions publicly and privately, aligning praise with values and impact.
Celebrate personal milestones alongside professional wins.
Customize your appreciation style—some prefer a spotlight, others prefer a quiet note.
3. Support Career Development
Why it matters:
Growth combats stagnation and affirms a team member’s value within the group.
How to apply it:
Encourage mentorships, peer learning, and skill-building tailored to individual goals.
Make space for cross-functional collaboration to broaden relationships.
Tie development plans to long-term organizational vision, so employees feel part of the journey.
4. Communicate as a Whole Person
Why it matters:
Human-centered communication creates trust and psychological safety.
How to apply it:
Check in beyond tasks—ask how people are doing, not just what they’re doing.
Model vulnerability and openness as a leader.
Create forums for informal connection: virtual coffee chats, team Slack channels, “Show & Tell” sessions.
Solitude in Nature vs. Connection in Humans
And just in case you were wondering, some animals thrive being alone. In the animal kingdom, solitude isn’t always a disadvantage. Species like snow leopards, jaguars, and orangutans thrive in isolation, having evolved to hunt, forage, and survive without the support of a group. For these animals, solitude offers clear advantages:
Exclusive access to resources like food and territory
Reduced risk of disease transmission
Lower competition for mates
Heightened survival adaptations, such as stealth or specialized hunting techniques
These solitary lifestyles are not signs of weakness—they’re evolutionary strategies tailored to specific ecological niches.
But humans? We’re wired differently.
The First Act: Why Intentional Leadership Matters
Building a remote community isn’t about replicating the watercooler—it’s about designing for connection. That starts with one action: a message, a check-in, a moment of recognition. When leaders show up with intention, teams begin to feel seen, and when we feel seen, we show up stronger.
