“Pressure is only unbearable, when you think you’re the only one who’s experiencing it”
Steve Hansen, record breaking New Zealand rugby coach

Over the last five years we’ve switched to a remote-first model. This has allowed us to work with people from a wider variety of perspectives than would have ever been possible before. We’ve gone from being a London agency to having team members as far away as New Zealand, Truro and Nottingham.

The more that we work in this way, the more we realise that our biggest risk is people feeling isolated. It’s hardly surprising, but it’s easy to miss given that we all spend 4 to 5 hours a day on calls with each other.

The impact of this feeling isn’t always obvious. Projects can be going along just fine, but there’s unseen mounting pressure on a single individual who feels it’s all down to them. This can lead to a breakdown of that individual’s mental health, not to mention big problems for the project.

If you’re part of a team then that pressure doesn’t disappear but you feel the situation can be handled because you’re not alone. You can talk about the pressure itself, and the problems causing it and find solutions together, feeling the support of those that understand the situational context.

So how are we tackling this? Here’s a few things we’ve learned, but we’d love to hear what others are finding too.

1. Build relationships beyond work

Most video calls focus on specific tasks, but real connection happens in broader conversations.

We make space for discussions that go beyond projects, whether it’s debating the use of smartphones in schools, sharing book recommendations, or reflecting on industry trends. These moments create bonds that make work more enjoyable and effective.

Tip: Set up regular informal check-ins chats to encourage discussions beyond day-to-day work.

2. Use ‘rubber ducking’ to strengthen thinking

Explaining an idea to someone outside your immediate project helps clarify your own thinking. Borrowing from the software development world, we use ‘rubber ducking’ – talking through a challenge as if explaining it to a toy duck – to build understanding across teams.

Tip: Encourage cross-team sense-checking conversations, even with colleagues not directly involved in your work.

3. Change your environment

A change of scenery does wonders for creativity and mental well-being. While working remotely, it’s easy to get stuck in the same physical space, which can stifle innovation and focus.

Tip: Work from a coworking space, a library, or a café once a week to shake up your routine and spark new ideas.

4. Onboarding is crucial to feeling connected

When everyone is in an office, you can, to a certain extent, rely on information diffusing through the team, especially when you have a new member of the team. When everybody is remote, it is a huge risk for the team and the new member to do so – many would rightly argue it always was!

Tip: Create a well thought through onboarding process that talks through how things are done, who people are and what the team culture is. Schedule regular checkins with a new starter and set them up with a buddy that isn’t their manager.

5. Don’t rely on video – pick up the phone

Video calls can feel intense, especially when stacked back-to-back. A good old-fashioned phone call removes the pressure of being on camera and allows for more fluid, relaxed conversations.

Tip: Mix up how you communicate. A quick voice call can sometimes be more effective (and less draining) than another Zoom meeting.

6. Walk and talk

Conversations on the move unlock new ways of thinking. Walking while talking shifts your mindset and encourages more open, creative discussions.

Tip: If a call doesn’t require a screen, take it while walking. A fresh perspective can make all the difference.

7. Be proactive about mental health

Remote working makes it easier to hide when things aren’t going well. We’ve been using Spill, an online therapy service, to create a safe space for people to talk. The service offers professional counselling services whilst also keeping an eye on trends in our team’s mental health which we report on and talk about.

But tools alone aren’t enough. Checking in with colleagues and normalising conversations about mental health is vital.

Tip: Make ‘how are you really doing?’ a standard part of your team culture, not just a one-off question.

8. Prioritise social time in person

When we come together in person, we focus on strengthening relationships rather than just getting work done. Whether it’s a team walk, museum visit, or a shared meal, investing in human connection makes remote collaboration even stronger.

Tip: Use in-person time to deepen relationships, not just tick off tasks.

9. Use asynchronous communication wisely

Not everything needs a meeting. Some discussions are better suited to written updates or recorded messages that people can engage with in their own time.

Tip: Reduce unnecessary meetings by using Slack, Notion, or email for simple updates, reserving real-time conversations for high-value discussions that build on each others’ ideas.