Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams. Tackling loneliness together at work. PAPERBACK

“Connection and Disconnection in Remote Teams” explores the realities of connection and loneliness in the context of remote work. While digital tools have made communication easier than ever, many people working remotely still experience disconnection, which can affect wellbeing, productivity, and job satisfaction.

Co-authors Bree Caggiati and Pilar Orti bring together insights from their own practice and conversations with a range of experts to examine the challenges of building and maintaining human connection in distributed teams.

Rather than offering quick fixes, the book looks at how loneliness and disconnection are shaped by broader issues, including organisational culture, leadership approaches, and personal work habits. It discusses the health and economic costs of chronic disconnection and offers practical ideas for creating stronger connections at individual, team, and organisational levels. Naturally, the authors also consider the role of technology, including collaborative platforms and AI, in supporting or hindering meaningful connection.

The content is structured to address each level of responsibility: systemic (organisational), managerial, and individual. While the book is not prescriptive and acknowledges that solutions will vary, it invites readers to engage actively and consider how the concepts apply to their unique situation.

This book is primarily for:

• Employees seeking connection: The book aims to help individuals understand the complex issue of connection and disconnection in remote teams and offers personal strategies they can implement. It encourages self-reflection and provides tools for individuals to maintain their own sense of connection, even in unsupportive environments.

• Managers building team cohesion: Two of the chapters focus on how managers can support their teams, open up conversations around loneliness, structure teamwork to enable connection, and provide individual support.

• Organisational leaders and HR professionals working towards truly supporting remote work: The book addresses systemic organisational initiatives that create the framework for connection, such as defining shared values, implementing communication structures, and providing resources for employee well-being and engagement.