Unlocking the Value of Remote Teams: Proven Strategies for Culture, Collaboration, and Performance In this episode of the [Podcast Name], we dive deep into the value of remote teams with Kayla Baretta, a key leader at Paper-leaf, a company known for building high-performance teams while fully embracing remote work. Kayla shares a candid look at how her organization has harnessed the power of remote teams to drive business success, build strong culture, and keep clients delighted — without relying on physical proximity. We begin by learning about Kayla’s role at Paper-leaf and how her leadership journey naturally aligned with remote-first operations. She introduces listeners to the transformative moment when Paper-leaf discovered the “magic” of remote teams — not just as a logistical solution, but as a cultural and performance advantage. One of the central themes discussed is empathy — how it’s not only valuable in client relationships but also a critical driver of internal culture. Kayla explains that empathy in remote teams must be intentional, with leaders creating opportunities for connection that go beyond the transactional nature of virtual meetings. She introduces practical approaches like “Pods” and “2 Pizza Teams” — smaller, self-contained groups that keep collaboration tight-knit and efficient. Kayla also debunks one of the biggest myths in business today: that connection requires being in the same physical space. In her experience, distributed teams can achieve even deeper connections when they intentionally address “elephants in the room” and work through challenges openly. We also discuss the challenges unique to remote work, from onboarding new hires to maintaining engagement over time. Kayla highlights that onboarding is not just an HR formality — it’s the foundation for culture, productivity, and retention in remote teams. Listeners will also hear insights on which scenarios suit remote work best, the measurable benefits to businesses adopting it, and tips for leaders who want to strengthen distributed team dynamics. Whether through virtual events, thoughtful communication strategies, or clear role definitions, Kayla’s approach shows that remote teams can be both high-performing and deeply connected. The episode closes with a look inside Paper-leaf’s strategic planning process, which ensures that even as a fully remote company, they operate with clarity, alignment, and performance focus. Kayla also shares an unusual but memorable interview experience that underscores the importance of authenticity in hiring. If you’ve ever wondered how to maximize the value of remote teams in your business, this episode offers both inspiration and practical tools to help you get there. Show Notes -0:00 Intro to this week’s episode -1:40 Who is Kayla Baretta and what does Paper-leaf do for clients? -4:45 The birth and magic of remote teams for Paper-leaf -7:20 Empathy and its value with culture and clients -9:50 Some interesting tips: “Pods”, “2 pizza teams”, and building community -13:40 Debunking a massive myth… connection doesn’t mean being in the same space -16:10 Addressing elephants tends to lead to deeper connections quickly -18:40 Other hurdles for going ‘remote’ (onboarding is key) -20:40 Greatest benefits to growing remote teams -22:40 Which situations work better or worse for remote workspaces? -24:10 Some tricks of the trade for bringing people together -27:50 Strat planning and higher performance within Paper-leaf -31:10 Some higher performance communication in an organization (it’s so much more than ‘active listening’ -40:25 An unusual interviewing experience and how to connect with Paper-Leaf and Kayla Resources & Links ✅ Hiring the right people starts with better communication! Join our Intro to Communication Styles training and learn how to improve workplace interactions: Sign Up Here Guest Information:

Ask this episode

“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.

Transcript

Related