I really like the idea of agreeing on a few personal comms "protocols" in advance -- especially your example escape hatch for venting. Without a safe way to let

I really like the idea of agreeing on a few personal comms "protocols" in advance -- especially your example escape hatch for venting. Without a safe way to let out some negativity, anger and frustration can just hang there, and eventually develop into resentment and distrust. I am a big believer that any environment where no one is allowed to admit they are frustrated, bored, or feeling cynical, is a toxic one, and that's especially true in the case of remote work. I work remotely myself, and I find emoji absolutely essential. A completely neutral question such as "hey did you finish xyz?" can come off as nagging, pressuring, and even passive-aggressive, especially if you happen to be the manager of the other person. Emoji at least lightens that tone and shows that the question comes from a friendly place. On the flip side, it's not enough to just avoid negative pitfalls. You also have to work a bit harder to achieve a truly positive environment. In person, actions like a smile or a high five can really boost morale and communicate "I am happy with the work you are doing." Over long distance, you really have to go much further. You have to actually type out, "Hey, next time you're in town I owe you a beer for the awesome job you did this week. Keep kicking ass."