What are the challenges to managing geographically distributed teams? How do we navigate them and make our teams stronger? Let\u2019s find out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you need something from a colleague, you should shoot them a message \u2014 but let\u2019s be honest. In an office environment, most of us will just slide over with our chair or pop by their desk; that is, if we didn\u2019t already run into them by the water cooler<\/a> earlier in the day. When you work in the same space as the rest of your team, communication is more fluid. Spontaneous chats happen all the time, so much so that they sometimes lead to impromptu brainstorming sessions. In addition, you receive subtle cues in tone and body language that ease the conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In distributed teams, fostering that kind of fluidity in communication is much more difficult. When you need to talk to someone, you will shoot that message and write that email because there is no other option. You will be much less likely to spark an actual conversation. In turn, that can lead to misunderstanding, delays, and overall gaps in communication.<\/p>\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/01\/Web_150DPI-20240729-17-St-Helens-Pl-Brand-Photoshoot-9.jpg?resize=1188%2C792\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe unique challenges of distributed teams<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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