remotely is the sheer flexibility it bestows on each one of us . You should socialize your work schedule with your team and clients . Always give a heads up to the team and clients for any possible delays and be brutally honest and transparent with your commitments . Being truthful from the word go is far easier than trying to juggle multiple commitments while appearing to be present !
Continue the Chit-Chat
Normally in an office setting , employees tend to relate to each other and bond over coffee , lunch , or during small talks in parking lots or break-rooms . This kind of personal chit-chat helps employees and clients to trust each other and help each other succeed in the job .
However , while working remotely since networking does not happen naturally , employees need to make time and effort to make informal conversations with their colleagues , teams and clients .
Simple 2 - minute informal conversations either at the start of group meetings , following up with a colleague how their vacation was , checking on someone who was out sick , sharing family pictures , wishing someone happy birthday among others mean a lot . All of these simple gestures will definitely help break the ice and let your personality shine through virtually and strengthen your relationships !
Use Technology , Social Media and Collaborative tools to your advantage
Today we have numerous tools to latch on to stay connected due to technological advancement which has made our life and work much easier than ever before . Using easily available services like Zoom , Skype and other tools , it is possible to create strong interpersonal relationships among remote employees .
Remote workers should also use Video option during meetings whenever possible to gain more visibility . Using Video helps put a face to your name and hence becomes easier to build rapport over time . Also unlike the regular conference calls , which may trigger you to your twitter or email distraction , enabling video during calls will make you more focused and participate more in meetings which will in turn build rapport over time . While at it ensure you “ dress the part ”; wearing
In a remote working situation the interactions should be much more purposeful and require greater effort unlike people who work in a physical office where networking happens naturally when you meet your co-worker down the hallway or by the water-cooler and brainstorm a work problem along with discussing weekend plans !
appropriate office attire during Video calls shows your commitment to the company and helps build trust with the team . In the absence of physical interaction , use social media to effectively engage with your network and keep the virtual communication ongoing by liking or sharing posts , offering feedback on other ’ s posts and stay connected with your network .
Constantly Communicate / Over Communicate
Agreed there is no opportunity to regularly meet your co-workers face to face as you may please , and hence bonding will be harder ; however there are still numerous ways to stay connected and make your relationships stronger if you communicate accurately and on regular basis .
First , schedule weekly recurring calls with your team or client and discuss what you are working on , progress made , any roadblocks in the projects etc . Having preplanned weekly calls shows you are dependable and can deliver results .
Second , make sure you have a proper agenda for your meetings with an intended goal and share your notes , socialize the common objectives across board to establish a shared vision for the team .
Third , Pick up the phone ! One of the pitfalls of virtual relationships is the overuse of written communication and possibility of misunderstanding the message leading to workplace conflicts . To avoid these , even though email is an easier tool to use , pick up the phone if the topic is complicated .
Voice-to-Voice matters ; talk and not write when it comes to important topics and also you can reconfirm your understanding in writing and share with your team after the phone discussion . When in doubt , Over Communicate !
Understand the local culture
Be mindful of differences and always be respectful of each other ’ s culture . There is no need to belabor this very crucial pint !
Volunteer to take on additional responsibilities
More than just freedom and flexibility , working remotely is also about personal empowerment . Use that power to learn more about the company you work for , ask to be included in decision making process and volunteer to take on additional responsibilities . Volunteering will give you more visibility , helps you learn new skills or master a new technology , it will increase your connections across the company and helps build relationships with cross functional teams !
So yes , it is possible to build and maintaining resilient relationships even when you work remotely ! It does require some deliberate effort and planning , but with the above mentioned tips , and with right attitude and collaborative tools , you will no longer be just another name in email chain , you will have a strong presence , you will be an influential voice in the team and will share the same bond as those who work in an office setting !
Try these strategies today and share what worked best for you ! Are there any other ways to build resilient relationships while working virtually ?
Dr . Clifford J . Ferguson is the Managing Partner of Rainmakers , and Chairman of Glad ’ s House . You can commune with him on this or related matters via email at : Cliff . Ferguson @ rainmakers . uk . com , or visit their website : Rainmakers . uk . com .