At Strategic Solution Partners (SSP), “culture” is not a buzzword. It is the foundation. Without a strong culture, a remote business will not thrive. It takes intention, empathy, trust, and structure, and we have learned how to nurture that over the years.
So how do you lead culture and maintain connection without physical proximity?
The Right Communication, at the Right Time
Meetings are a necessary evil; the key is to make them short and efficient. Our leadership team meets weekly, remotely, for 15–20 minutes to share our focus for the week, what we are working on, challenges, and what support is needed. Each leader meets with their own teams weekly or bi-weekly. Again, short and focused.
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Once a month, we meet as an entire team to recognize wins, share what everyone is working on, and celebrate together. Every team also has their own group in Teams, where quick chats keep momentum going.
These rhythms help us stay aligned and connected without overwhelming our calendars.
Feedback Is a Mindset
I do not think feedback is any different in a remote environment than in an office. It is about having a good working relationship, clear expectations, constant communication, and mutual respect. If those are in place, then feedback usually does not come as a surprise. It is just part of the conversation.
When conflicts arise, we are fortunate to have our brilliant and seasoned Culture Lead. We get her involved whenever there is internal or external conflict, and she has the right skills to guide those conversations and find common ground and resolution.
Culture Without Walls: How We Keep It Alive
Having a clearly defined culture is the first and most important step. Everything we do is filtered through our values. We talk about it openly, we reference it in decision-making, we bring it up in feedback. It is not abstract; it is woven into our day-to-day life.
Our Culture Lead drives engagement, messaging, and initiatives to keep our culture alive and tangible. Our onboarding puts a big focus on culture, and we hold each other accountable to it, including myself—I rely on our leaders and team members to keep me in check.
Creating Belonging for Everyone, Including Contractors
We aim to build an environment where people thrive, feel cared for, and understand what is expected of them: where they can perform at their best. That includes our independent contractors. We do not see them as separate from our culture.
Yes, we have initiatives, communication rhythms, and recognition systems, but all of that is driven by whom we hire. The people we select to work in our company are just as important as having a clear blueprint of culture.
A Tradition That Keeps Us Human
After COVID, we created a WhatsApp group used only for personal moments. Nothing work-related, just glimpses into our lives: visits with loved ones, blooming gardens, bucket-list trips, a snapshot of our “office” for the day.
It is a small thing, but it creates connection. It reminds us that we are people first. People who love what we do, and who we do it with.
Looking Ahead: Culture and AI Can Coexist
As SSP continues to grow, we are exploring how to implement AI without sacrificing culture. We see it as a tool to improve processes and reduce manual work so our team can spend more time taking care of each other and our clients.
Culture remains non-negotiable. We are strategic and thoughtful about what we introduce, always asking: Will this help us connect more deeply or pull us apart?
Remote work is not the absence of connection. It is an invitation to create it intentionally. And when you do that, your people—and your business—can truly thrive
