How can you build meaningful relationships when working remotely?

2 Show empathy and appreciation

Working remotely can be isolating and stressful for many people, especially during times of uncertainty and change. You need to show empathy and appreciation for your remote colleagues, clients, and partners, and acknowledge their feelings, challenges, and achievements. You can do this by listening actively, asking open-ended questions, expressing gratitude, giving feedback, and celebrating successes. You can also use emoticons, gifs, stickers, and memes to add some humor and personality to your messages. Showing empathy and appreciation can help you build trust, loyalty, and morale among your remote connections.

3 Be flexible and adaptable

Working remotely can also require you to be flexible and adaptable to different situations, cultures, and preferences. You need to respect and accommodate the diversity and individuality of your remote colleagues, clients, and partners, and avoid imposing your own norms and expectations. You can do this by being aware of and sensitive to their time zones, schedules, work styles, communication styles, and backgrounds. You can also ask for feedback, suggestions, and opinions, and be open to new ideas and perspectives. Being flexible and adaptable can help you create a more inclusive and collaborative remote work environment.

4 Share personal and professional information

One of the best ways to build meaningful relationships with your remote colleagues, clients, and partners is to share personal and professional information with them. You need to let them know who you are, what you do, what you value, and what you care about. You can do this by creating a personal profile, bio, or introduction video that showcases your skills, interests, hobbies, and goals. You can also share stories, anecdotes, photos, videos, or articles that relate to your work or life. Sharing personal and professional information can help you establish rapport, common ground, and authenticity with your remote connections.

5 Participate in virtual social activities

Another great way to build meaningful relationships with your remote colleagues, clients, and partners is to participate in virtual social activities that foster fun, engagement, and connection. You can do this by joining or organizing online events, such as coffee breaks, happy hours, trivia games, book clubs, or fitness challenges. You can also use online platforms, such as Slack, Teams, or Zoom, to create channels, groups, or rooms for different topics, interests, or hobbies. Participating in virtual social activities can help you bond, network, and learn with your remote connections.

6 Set boundaries and expectations

Finally, one of the most important ways to build meaningful relationships with your remote colleagues, clients, and partners is to set boundaries and expectations for yourself and others. You need to respect and protect your own and others' work-life balance, privacy, and well-being. You can do this by communicating your availability, preferences, and needs, and asking for the same from others. You can also use tools, such as calendars, status updates, or do-not-disturb modes, to manage your time, attention, and energy. Setting boundaries and expectations can help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and burnout when working remotely.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?