What your team actually misses most

Hello hello,

Over the summer, 145 people completed my remote team culture survey*.
It’s on my December–January deep work list to turn all those insights, along with my library of tools and frameworks, into a Remote Team Culture Playbook. (As with many dreamy long-term projects… all the elements are there, it’s simply a matter of pulling them together.)

Anyway, deep work time aside, one of the insights that struck me most from the survey was this: nearly everyone described a strong tech platform that kept them connected day-to-day. And nearly everyone mentioned a clear strategy that gave direction.

But when I asked what was missing… one thing kept surfacing again and again:

Depth of connection.

With respondents sharing…

“Not having time to connect socially because everyone is focused on delivery.”
“Not having enough time to nurture connections across teams.”
“More non-work meetings. Remote workers don’t have those watercooler moments.”
“Create more time to connect and honor time for it.”

It got me thinking that most organisations are missing a key component in their meeting rhythm: Culture touchpoints.

🔵 1. Strategic Touchpoints

Your all-hands, quarterly updates, and leadership briefings, the rhythm that gives direction and alignment. It keeps everyone anchored in the why and where of your organisation.

🟢 2. Digital Touchpoints

Your everyday check-ins, chat threads, and digital portals, the rhythm that maintains the daily sense of connection and collaboration. The hum of teamwork that keeps work moving.

🟣 3. Culture Touchpoints

Your intentional gatherings for reflection, connection, and meaning.
These are the moments that bring depth. Where people see the person behind the colleague, reconnect to shared purpose, and rebuild trust.

Without that third rhythm, teams start to feel flat. You might still have productivity, but not presence. Alignment, but not belonging.

As you plan for the new year, don’t just map your projects. Map your connection rhythms, too. Where will your people come together to pause, reflect, and remember why it matters?

Curiously connecting,

Always,
Perle

* Work remotely? Feel free to answer the survey. 

P.S. If this sparks something for you, I’d love to explore how we could bring more rhythm and connection into your team’s year. Let’s find a time to chat.