You're working remotely with colleagues in a different country. How can you build relationships that last?

Working remotely with colleagues from different countries has taught me the importance of proactive communication and genuine connection. To build lasting relationships, I prioritize regular calls and messages where we not only discuss work but also share personal updates and experiences. Actively listening to each other's perspectives and showing empathy creates a sense of mutual understanding and trust. Cultural sensitivity is crucial in our interactions. I make an effort to learn about my colleagues' cultural backgrounds, norms, and communication styles, adapting my approach accordingly to foster inclusivity and respect. Sharing interests, hobbies, and experiences helps us connect on a deeper level and strengthens our overall rapport.

Learning the time zones of your colleagues is trivial. Besides that, you need to learn their daily routines. This may vary by country or in may be individual. Some places the working hours are very strict and in come cultures people are supposed to answer their messages no matter what time it is. Some of this is cultural, but for a long term relationship you need to understand that one by one. I've been working with people who wake up every morning 5AM to check their emails, then take the dog out, have some breakfast and head to the office to 8AM. Some other people start their day at 11AM, have a siesta from 5PM to 9PM and do couple of hours when the kids are sleeping.

This is a little hard because of the different time zones. First you need to understand the time and have a perfect time for communication this applies to both parties, there also need to be an effective channel for communication. A task Manager can also do the trick for you and an employee management platform like HCMatrix can aid the effective management of employees in different branches because of the multi-switch company system, employee management, task management, leave management, payroll management, time and attendance management, time tracking, learning and development, recruiting and more..

Respecting time zones is not just a courtesy; it's a strategic necessity. You want everyone to feel valued and included, regardless of their geographical location. Set clear communication guidelines, use time zone-friendly tools, rotate meeting times, record sessions, and embrace asynchronous collaboration.

The always complex equation of which time zone to use. My super recommendation, you will often have to give up and work alternative hours, but negotiate and decide that once here, once there..... this way everyone can commit and adapt.

Effective communication is the foundation of any relationship, especially when working remotely. Use tools like video calls, messaging apps, and emails to keep the bonds strong.

Sometimes a 10-minute video call is more efficient than dozens of emails. Try, call, talk, and at most send an email formalizing what was discussed. In a video call, you can understand the person's voice and language, avoiding noise or misunderstandings

Discover shared interests or goals. Finding common ground bridges gaps. A shared ground forms the basis of a strong relationship.

Building lasting relationships with remote colleagues abroad hinges on proactive engagement and cultural sensitivity. Schedule regular video calls to foster face-to-face connections, showing genuine interest in their cultures and experiences. Leverage tools like Slack for daily interactions, creating a space for casual conversations and team bonding. Celebrate shared successes and acknowledge cultural holidays, enhancing team cohesion. Remember, trust grows from consistency and mutual respect, turning geographical distances into mere numbers. #RemoteTeamBuilding #CulturalAwareness

Understand and respect cultural nuances. It's like learning to dance - each culture has its own rhythm and steps. Embrace diversity to enrich the experience and promote mutual understanding.

Remember that different cultures exist, but respect and empathy are the same. If you have doubts, ask, if you don't understand, ask to repeat, make a check list, listen to everyone, express yourself and make your ideas clear...... everyone is in the same boat but needs to row in the same direction.