MarieRemote, connected and motivated – how we work at bluquist
At bluquist, we firmly believe that genuine team cohesion is not tied to physical offices. We work exclusively remotely, which is precisely why we place great emphasis on creating structures and rituals that foster closeness, trust, and motivation. Psychological research shows that clearly structured team-building measures are crucial for strengthening cohesion, communication, and performance. [1]
Our Routines – the Foundation for Connection
- Weekly All-Hands: Once a week, we all come together to share project updates and create transparency. This provides orientation and connects us as an entire team. We start each week with a new check-in question that creates a relaxed entry and enables fascinating insights.
- Team-Internal Weeklies: Within the smaller units, we deepen our collaboration and ensure that everyone is working together toward the same goal.
- Regular 1:1 Check-ins: Leadership also maintains close communication: Every 1-2 weeks, they have personal conversations with their team members to provide feedback, clarify current tasks, and discuss individual topics.
- Coffee-Chats: Each week, two people are randomly paired for a virtual coffee. These casual conversations strengthen social interaction and create new connections – similar to a quick chat in the office kitchen.
How We Use bluquist for Our Team
We also use bluquist for ourselves - our platform helps us to get to know each other better as a team, make individual strengths visible, and be considerate of different working styles. We also use assessments in the recruiting process to select new team members in a targeted and fitting manner. Regular reflection on our collaboration is also a central component of our team-building:
- bluquist PULSE-Check: Every 4 weeks, we capture how the team is doing, where we can improve, and which strengths we should develop further.
- Performance and Development Review: Based on an assessment that we have created tailored to our needs, we reflect quarterly on our engagement, our performance, how we live our values, and how we want to develop further. This structure not only creates clarity but also gives us a sense of purpose and personal growth.
Personal Initiatives – from Team Members for Team Members
A special highlight of our culture are activities that emerge directly from the team.
- Meditation every two weeks: Caro, our mindfulness expert, leads sessions that bring calm and mindfulness into our daily lives.
- Women's Call: A protected space for exchange, support, and empowerment.
These formats strengthen not only well-being but also psychological safety in the team – a factor that studies repeatedly emphasize as the foundation for innovation and creativity. [2]
Personal Encounters – Essential Despite Remote Work
As much as we love remote work – real encounters don't completely replace it. That's why we organize team events in person once or twice a year, which always take place in a different location. Here we deepen relationships, develop new ideas, and simply enjoy time together. Research shows that these hybrid approaches are most effective for team cohesion in the long term. [1]
Conclusion: How We Keep Motivation and Performance High
Our experience at bluquist shows: Team-building doesn't have to be complicated. What's crucial is the combination of structure, feedback, personal rituals, and genuine encounters. This creates a working environment that makes closeness possible despite distance, keeps motivation high, and sustainably strengthens performance.
Sources
- Salas, E., Rozell, D., Mullen, B., & Driskell, J. E. (1999). The effect of team building on performance: An integration. Small Group Research, 30(3), 309-329. https://doi.org/10.1177/104649649903000303
- Edmondson, A. C. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), 350–383. https://doi.org/10.2307/2666999
Author
Marie
Marie is Psychology Master's student and trainee at bluquist. She creates psychological content focused on work and business psychology topics.