The Remote Work Revolution: Alexandr Korshykov of DreamX on Building Strong Cultures in a Digital…

The Remote Work Revolution: Alexandr Korshykov of DreamX on Building Strong Cultures in a Digital World

An Interview With Chad Silverstein

Maintain humanity. In remote work, it’s important to remember that we are all human. Even when working through a computer screen, it’s crucial to foster an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. A leader should be someone who supports, listens, and helps when challenges arise.

The remote work revolution has transformed how we think about work, but it has also raised important questions about maintaining culture and connection in a virtual world. To explore this important topic, we are interviewing Alexandr Korshykov.

Alexandr Korshykov is the Founder and CEO of DreamX, a Ukrainian UX/UI design company. He started the business in his early twenties with just $100 and grew it into a remote team of 20+ professionals, overcoming the challenges of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Under his leadership, DreamX continues to expand and deliver UX/UI design solutions to businesses and startups worldwide.

Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?

Of course! A dream of building something of my own led me to entrepreneurship. From a young age, I knew I wanted to run my own business, and by my early twenties, it became clear that working for someone else wasn’t for me. I wanted to create something where my efforts had a direct impact.

The IT industry caught my attention with its fast-paced energy, but I had no technical background. Only experience in sales. Instead of spending years working my way up, I took a different route. Over three months, I applied to over 100 IT jobs, not to get hired but to learn. Every interview gave me insight into how companies operated, and despite constant rejections, I gained the knowledge I needed.

With that understanding, I launched my own UX/UI design company, recognizing both its demand and potential. The journey was far from easy, but I kept pushing forward. What started as just me and a designer has since grown into DreamX — a remote team of over 20 professionals delivering design solutions to clients worldwide.

Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you began working with remote or hybrid teams?

Once, one situation happened that still makes me smile whenever I remember it. We have just hired a new employee. We work remotely and have only seen each other through video calls. I had never met her in person.

One day, I went out for coffee and stood in line, looking at the people around me. There was a girl in front of me — nothing unusual — but suddenly, I noticed a tattoo on her arm that seemed familiar. At first, I didn’t pay much attention, but when she turned around, I realized it was our new colleague.

Imagine my surprise! I recognized her not by her face but by her tattoo. We exchanged glances, laughed, and said hello. It was so unexpected and funny at the same time. That meeting once again reminded me how amazing remote work can be. You know someone by their voice and chat avatar but end up recognizing them in real life completely by chance.

You are a successful leader in the remote work space. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?

Systematic approach. I am convinced that nothing works without a systematic approach. There are no quick results in business. Everything is built on daily steps. Without my systematic actions, I would have ended up with nothing. Even when things didn’t go well, even when I made fatal mistakes, I kept following a clear plan. I understood that success is not a matter of luck but a matter of perseverance.
The belief in yourself and your idea. From the very beginning, I was often told that business wasn’t for me and that design is a tough and oversaturated niche where it’s hard to succeed. But I knew this was my path and didn’t pay attention to others’ opinions. Believing in myself gave me the strength to keep going when things got tough and to move forward even when it felt like everything was going wrong. I was sure that sooner or later, I would succeed.
The ability to find opportunities where others see only problems. I believe that success depends on how you respond to challenges. When you see a problem, it’s an opportunity to do something better than before.

Let’s now dive into the focus of our interview. When the shift to remote work became widespread, what was the biggest challenge you faced in maintaining a strong workplace culture? How did you address it?

The widespread shift to remote work began during the pandemic, and at first, it felt quite unusual. We were all used to face-to-face communication, in-person discussions, and even small things like shared lunches at the office. But reality changed, and we had to adapt quickly.

At DreamX, we all work remotely. There’s no office at all. It’s definitely convenient. No commute, and you can work from anywhere in the world. However, there are challenges, and the biggest one is maintaining a strong team culture when people don’t see each other every day.

The main challenge was preserving a sense of unity. In a remote setting, it’s easy to feel isolated when you’re sitting alone in front of a screen within four walls. We realized that we needed to consciously work on making everyone feel like part of the team.

We started focusing more on communication. For example, we regularly hold informal online meetings where we discuss not only work-related topics but also talk about life in general. This helps build warmer relationships within the team.

In the end, we realized that remote work can be just as effective as working in an office if you intentionally invest in communication and culture-building. It takes more effort, but the results are worth it.

What are some of the unique challenges that remote or hybrid teams face when it comes to creating a sense of connection and belonging?

In my opinion, one of the biggest challenges is creating a trusting environment among people who have never met in person. When you meet at the office every day, have coffee together, and chat informally, connections form naturally. But when all communication happens through a screen, building genuine trust is much harder.

In remote teams, people can often feel isolated. It’s easy to get lost in chats and emails when there’s no chance to discuss something in the hallway or over lunch. Additionally, it’s harder for newcomers to integrate into the team because they don’t see the team’s dynamics in person.

At DreamX, we consciously work to address these challenges. First, we prioritize regular online meetings where we talk both about work and life. This helps us get to know each other better and strengthens the team spirit.

Second, every few months, we organize offline meetups where the team can connect in person. These meetings create deeper bonds that help us work better together, even remotely.

We also foster a culture of openness by encouraging team members to share their thoughts, ideas, and the challenges they face. This helps build an atmosphere of trust where everyone feels heard.

Building a sense of belonging in a remote team can be challenging, but with conscious effort, it’s possible to create a strong, united team regardless of its members’ locations.

What tools or technologies have you found most effective in fostering communication, collaboration, and team alignment in a remote setting?

Being a fully remote team, we rely on several communication tools like Google Meet and more. However, our top tool for communication is Slack. Here are a few reasons why:

Slack lets us stay organized with dedicated channels for topics like design project updates, marketing, sales, general, and even memes. All channels ensure conversations stay focused and easy to follow.
Slack allows us to call each other and share screens within the platform.
Slack lets us attach and pin essential documents within each channel.
Slack has a powerful search functionality that lets us quickly find past messages or files.
One more standout feature is the ability to set reminders, which is invaluable for managing a packed schedule full of Google Calendar calls.
Slack has an integration with tools like Google Docs. Such an option streamlines our workflow and allows us to keep everything accessible in one place.
We also appreciate Slack’s status feature, which enables team members to indicate if they are on lunch, meeting, or vacationing. It’s essential for a remote team. You can see whether a person is online, busy, or not. You know whether you can write a person or not.
Last but not least, Slack has a mobile app. It’s essential for us because it allows us to stay connected and responsive no matter where we are.

What role does leadership play in building and sustaining a strong company culture in a remote or hybrid work environment?

When people work without the opportunity to see each other every day in an office, it is crucial for the leader to be the one who unites the team around shared values and goals.

First, a leader must be transparent in their decisions and communications. This approach helps build trust because, in a remote environment, it’s easy for employees to feel disconnected if they don’t understand what’s happening within the company. I always strive to be as open as possible with my team — holding regular meetings to share updates, discuss challenges, and celebrate achievements.

Second, it’s important to foster a culture of feedback. Employees need to feel that their opinions are valued and that they can freely express their ideas or concerns. At DreamX, I always encourage open dialogue and make an effort to be accessible to the team.

Leadership is not just about managing processes. It’s about bringing people together. This is especially true in remote work, where maintaining a sense of unity requires even more effort and attention.

What advice would you give to leaders who are struggling to maintain employee engagement and motivation in a fully remote workforce?

Invest in team interaction. A remote environment can create a sense of isolation, so it’s important to organize activities that strengthen team spirit regularly. These can be informal meetings or team-building events. At DreamX, we hold such gatherings to ensure that people can not only work together but also build relationships beyond official work matters.
Give people flexibility and opportunities for personal growth. In a remote setting, employees highly value flexible schedules and the ability to balance work and personal life. It’s also essential to invest in their development — courses, training, and learning opportunities help employees feel that the company cares about their growth.
Maintain humanity. In remote work, it’s important to remember that we are all human. Even when working through a computer screen, it’s crucial to foster an environment where everyone feels valued and respected. A leader should be someone who supports, listens, and helps when challenges arise.

Ok, let’s explore actionable insights. Based on your experience, can you share “5 Strategies to Build a Strong Workplace Culture in a Remote Work Environment”? If you can, please include examples or stories for each.

Encourage employee learning. At DreamX, for example, we have a shared table with conferences and educational events that allow our employees to choose the ones they’re interested in. This not only enhances their professional skills but also inspires growth and self-improvement.
Implement video calls for action alignment. In a remote work environment, maintaining communication is crucial. We hold regular video calls to keep everyone updated and aligned with the team’s goals. This helps avoid misunderstandings and ensures effective task execution.
Organize team meetings and team-building activities. To maintain connection and unity within the team, we regularly organize team-building events. These events foster not only professional development but also genuine relationships among team members.
Separate work and personal time. In remote work, it’s essential to prevent work from intruding on employees’ personal space. At DreamX, we actively support a work-life balance. We emphasize that there should be no overtime, and everyone has the right to rest and recharge. It helps prevent burnout and maintains high motivation and productivity in the long run.
Respect every employee. Respect is the foundation of any relationship, and at DreamX, we prioritize it. We recognize that each employee brings a unique contribution, and it’s important for everyone to feel valued. In a remote environment, fostering mutual respect is especially important, ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Respect is not based on status or position. Everyone deserves attention and support. This principle of mutual respect makes our team stronger and our employees more motivated and engaged.

How do you address potential feelings of isolation or disconnection that employees may experience in a remote work environment?

I understand how important it is to maintain team spirit and a sense of unity, even when people work from different parts of the world.

At DreamX, we addressed this challenge by organizing regular team-building events. About every few months, we bring the team together in one city. We cover all expenses: tickets, accommodation, and meals. And it’s not just a formality. For us, it’s essential that every employee feels valued by the company.

These meetups allow people to work together and get to know each other better. No matter how efficient video calls are, they can never fully replace face-to-face communication. There’s something special about finally seeing your colleague in person, discussing not just work tasks but also sharing life stories and laughing together. It creates a whole new level of understanding and trust.

For me, it’s crucial that every team member feels like part of something bigger, not just a “cog in the machine.”

Can you share an example of a remote work initiative, policy, or program that you implemented which had a significant positive impact on your team?

Implementing Slack as our primary tool for quick communication was one of the best decisions I made for our team. When we switched to remote work, I realized that effective communication is key to success.

We set up dedicated channels for projects, team discussions, quick questions, and informal chats. It immediately streamlined our communication. Everything was in one place, well-organized, and easy to search through.

A crucial aspect was that Slack helped maintain a sense of team unity, even when working from different parts of the world. We use it not only for work but also for “real” conversations, sharing memes, and celebrating holidays together.

How do you strike the balance between flexibility (one of the main benefits of remote work) and ensuring accountability and productivity?

Clear goals and expectations. To ensure accountability, our team sets specific goals and deadlines for each project or task. From the very beginning, it’s important that employees understand what is expected of them and have a clear action plan. This helps maintain focus on results, even with flexible schedules.
Regular progress checks. I believe that maintaining regular communication with the team is essential. We hold daily video meetings to discuss current progress, challenges, and potential solutions. It allows us to track task completion and adjust processes when necessary.
Trust and autonomy. While we set clear goals, it’s equally important to trust the team. Each employee values their autonomy and takes responsibility for their tasks. When people feel that their efforts are appreciated and that they are trusted, it motivates them to work even more efficiently.

What trends or innovations in remote work are you most excited about, and how do you see them shaping the future of workplace culture?

I am most interested in trends related to process optimization in remote work. Every year, more tools emerge that help automate routine tasks, improve communication, and boost team productivity.

For example, the development of artificial intelligence and automation is increasingly influencing how we organize work processes. Today, it’s possible to automate reports, schedule meetings, and even handle incoming client requests. This frees up time for more creative and strategic work.

I am confident that such innovations will continue to reshape workplace culture. Companies will become more flexible, and employees will gain more autonomy. This new approach to work organization is already shaping the future.

In your opinion, how does building a strong culture in a remote work environment impact not just employees but also customers, clients, and the company’s overall performance?

A strong corporate culture in a remote work environment is not just a “nice-to-have” but a true driver of a company’s efficiency. It directly impacts employee motivation and loyalty, client service quality, and even financial results.

When a team shares common values, it creates a sense of unity, even when employees work remotely. At DreamX, we consciously invest in building a culture based on trust, support, and mutual respect. When people feel valued, they are more willing to put in extra effort, directly influencing productivity.

But this doesn’t only impact the team; clients feel it, too. When there is a healthy internal atmosphere, communication with clients becomes more positive and productive. Satisfied employees deliver better service because they care about the results, not just about “clocking in hours.” Moreover, when clients see that the team works cohesively and with enthusiasm, it builds trust in the company. They know they are dealing with people united by a common goal and willing to go the extra mile to achieve results.

In the end, a strong corporate culture in a remote setting is not just about employee comfort. It’s a business growth strategy. It directly influences efficiency, service quality, and client loyalty.

You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people through better remote work cultures, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂

If I could start a movement that would bring the most value to people through a better remote work culture, I would definitely implement daily meetings. Many companies underestimate this practice, though it is crucial for maintaining team communication.

At DreamX, we always hold daily calls, and it’s an essential part of everyone’s work. I make an effort to personally connect with each department to stay on the same page with employees. This not only helps us work more efficiently but also fosters a sense of unity and trust, even when working remotely. It has become a routine that strengthens the team and helps everyone feel like an important part of the company.

How can our readers further follow you online?

There are plenty of ways to stay in touch. LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter. However, ’m mostly hanging out on LinkedIn. If your readers want to follow me or DreamX or just chat about remote teams, starting a business, or designing pitch decks, I’m always happy to connect. Just drop me a message, and let’s talk!

This was great. Thank you so much for the time you spent sharing with us.

About the Interviewer: Chad Silverstein is a seasoned entrepreneur with 25+ years of experience as a Founder and CEO. While attending Ohio State University, he launched his first company, Choice Recovery, Inc., a nationally recognized healthcare collection agency — twice ranked the #1 workplace in Ohio. In 2013, he founded [re]start, helping thousands of people find meaningful career opportunities. After selling both companies, Chad shifted his focus to his true passion — leadership. Today, he coaches founders and CEOs at Built to Lead, advises Authority Magazine’s Thought Leader Incubator.

The Remote Work Revolution: Alexandr Korshykov of DreamX on Building Strong Cultures in a Digital… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.