Conventional wisdom says that virtual teams should be awkward and disconnected. Distance makes the team disengaged, right?

Wrong. In reality, virtual teams are killing it every day and redefining what a culture of connection looks like. In our experience, we’ve found that because of the increased focus on communication, collaboration, trust and accountability for virtual teams, often times their effectiveness and connection far exceed teams who work in the same office.

This level of production and camaraderie doesn’t happen by chance. If your virtual team is kicking figurative booty in the workplace, it is happening because you have a leader who sets clear expectations and communicates effectively, and team members who collaborate well, leverage technology and hold each other accountable. It should be celebrated and recognized when a virtual team functions like this:

• You talk/chat/connect daily.
• Trust is firmly established.
• You love to share the spotlight and see each other succeed.
• You and your colleagues behave the same way – and say the same things – in team meetings, as you do in one-on-one conversations or chats.
• If a line is ever crossed, that behavior is immediately shut down.
• You don’t hesitate to pitch in to help out a colleague.
• As a rule, everyone is deeply respectful of the cultural differences of teammates.
• You effortlessly connect on a personal level with teammates.
• When issues arise, you deal with them and move on. No grudges, no simmering resentment, no sidebar conversations.
• There is lively give and take, listening and understanding, during team meetings.
• People are relaxed and laughing. You can have fun together.

If this sounds like your virtual team, then give yourself a virtual high five! And this Thanksgiving, celebrate your not-so-secretly awesome virtual team with the recognition they deserve. This goes for your U.S. virtual teams (who celebrate Thanksgiving) and your international teams – giving thanks for great work is a global best practice!