Trust at a Distance: How Leaders Build Connection in Remote & Hybrid Teams with Peggy Kendall

Remote and hybrid work aren’t going away — but trust doesn’t magically survive the shift.

In this People First! episode, I’m joined by Peggy Kendall, researcher, professor of communication studies, and co-author of Trust at a Distance: Six Strategies for Managing Remote Workplaces. Peggy has been studying the impact of technology on communication since the days of MySpace, and her insights couldn’t be more relevant for today’s leaders.

Together, we unpack what actually builds trust when teams are dispersed — and what quietly erodes it.

In this conversation, we explore:

• Why trust takes longer to build online — but can be stronger when done well
• The hidden cost of leaders saying “let me know if you have questions”
• How assumptions, silence, and multitasking quietly damage psychological safety
• The six strategies leaders must use to build trust at a distance: Amplify communication; Clarify direction; Build predictability; Redefine accountability; Create connection; Leverage in-person experiences.
• Why predictable check-ins matter more than long meetings
• How proximity bias hurts remote employees — often without leaders realizing it
• Why hybrid work can increase inclusion, confidence, and access when led intentionally

If you’re leading a remote or hybrid team — or working in one — this episode will challenge some assumptions and give you practical, research-backed ways to strengthen trust, connection, and performance.

📘 Learn more about Peggy Kendall & the book:

Trust at a Distance — available on Amazon

Website: PeggyKendall.com

Trust Edge Leadership Institute (David Horsager)