Mastering the art of building and sustaining strong professional relationships while working remotely is difficult, but not impossible with these tips.
This guide is designed to offer proven strategies, backed by remote work leaders, to help you navigate the nuances of remote interactions. With a blend of expertise and empathy, we’ll delve into 10 actionable ways to enhance your virtual communication, nurture trust, and foster an inclusive culture for all team members, regardless of their location.
1. Be Intentional About Your Remote Relationships
More than in an office setting, you need to be very intentional about building relationships in remote work because you can’t rely on “organic” or “serendipitous” connections in the break room, following meetings, or passing in the hallway. You have to make time for reaching out to people, then scheduling time to talk with them, and then being consistent about keeping in touch.
Solution: Set Up A Remote Relationship System
If this doesn’t come naturally to you, you’ll need to set up a system to track who you’re developing relationships with. Using a project management tool like ClickUp or Asana can help you stay organized and on top of your remote relationship building efforts.
Or, for those who’d prefer a remote work-specific planner, our Growplaceless® course has exactly what you’re looking for. Learn more about Growplaceless on our course page!
2. Understand and Leverage Social Capital in Remote Work
Of all the contributors to career opportunities and growth, building social capital presents one of the most complicated challenges for workers (which is why this section goes into extra detail).
Social capital is how you develop relationships with people and the ability to access those resources provided by that network.
Social capital is a broad sociological term that refers to the active connections among people. In the context of career development, it refers to the resources that are available to you through your professional connections. Social capital is built on your:
- Networks
- Diversity
- Values
- Participation
- Sense of belonging
- Trust
- Reciprocity
- Agency
Social capital can be bonding, bridging, or linking—these terms describe the nature of the relationships of the people or groups involved.
Bonding social capital is within a group; bridging social capital is between groups; linking social capital is the relationship among people with different levels of power.
Why Does Social Capital Matter?
Having social capital affects your ability to ask for and receive help and to gain access to opportunities like promotions and raises. Since remote workers are more prone to isolation, they and their employers need to be intentional about developing their interpersonal connection inside and outside their team or organization.
Leveraging Your Social Capital
Building social capital requires thoughtful engagement and a strategic mindset. Here are steps to effectively leverage your social capital in a remote working environment:
- Expand Your Network Intelligently: Connect with individuals who offer diverse perspectives and opportunities. Attend virtual networking events and participate in online industry forums to expand your circle.
- Contribute Value: Share your expertise, offer support, and be generous with your time to establish yourself as a valuable resource.
- Maintain Visibility: Regularly contribute to discussions and showcase your progress. Share achievements and learnings in team meetings or through internal newsletters.
- Be an Active Participant: Voice your opinion, share ideas, and participate in decision-making processes to establish a stronger presence within your network.
- Understand the Dynamics of Give and Take: Offer help to colleagues and don’t hesitate to ask for assistance when needed, reinforcing mutual benefit.
We’ll dig deeper into some of these topics, like contributing value, later in this guide.
RELATED: 6 Steps to Optimize Your Remote Office Space
3. Combat Isolation in Remote Work Through Engagement
Whether feelings of isolation are simply a byproduct of a remote-only work environment, or a more profound feeling of separation from communities, isolation is one of the biggest factors affecting remote workers. For those just starting to learn how to work remotely, it’s necessary to learn how to combat feeling isolated.
Isolation hinders the formation of strong bonds among remote workers and limits their ability to build relationships beyond their teams. Moreover, it discourages workers from seeking connections with others. The consequences of isolation include self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and social anxiety, all of which make it more challenging to reach out to individuals in positions of authority.
The lack of a physical shared workspace works against the remote worker in this case, too. Not being in close proximity means there are few organic opportunities for casual connections to form. That lack of proximity is also a risk factor for overall remote work cultures. So how do we avoid feeling isolated?
Engage with Others in the Remote Team Environment
To combat feelings of isolation within a remote team environment, it’s vital to foster a culture of open communication and consistent engagement.
Leaders should establish regular check-ins and provide virtual spaces for collaboration and casual interactions that emulate the “water cooler” moments of an in-office setting. Creating opportunities for team members to engage in non-work-related discussions, through regular virtual coffee breaks or team-building activities, allows relationships to flourish and gives everyone a sense of community.
On the individual level, aim to reach out to your teammates once a week. Scheduling it as a recurring goal in your calendar can make this task simple and fluid. You could also consider consulting with leaders on how they can support you in developing social capital.
4. Build Trust in Remote Teams Through Reliability
Another big part of developing strong remote relationships is trust.
Trust is the most cited reason for hesitancy to go remote and it is the harbinger of a remote culture’s success. Building trust in your connections becomes more challenging in remote work, which in turn affects the strength of those connections.
In remote work, there are two types you need to be aware of: task-based and relationship-based trust.
Task-based trust is developed by being reliable– following through on tasks, doing what you said you would do. Often, this is other people’s first impression of you – did you reply to an email, or did it take several tries to get you to respond?
Relationship-based trust, on the other hand, is developed over time based on shared interests. You need both kinds of trust to develop remote relationships, but just pay extra attention to task-based trust in remote work, and focus on how you’re coming across in a digital environment.
To develop both task and relationship-based trust:
- Follow through on commitments: Consistently meeting deadlines and completing tasks builds reliability.
- Communicate effectively: Be clear, concise, and responsive in all communication to avoid any misunderstandings.
- Demonstrate honesty and transparency: Openly communicate challenges or issues as they arise, rather than hiding them. This promotes trust and avoids potential conflicts in the future.
- Give credit where it’s due: Acknowledge and recognize others’ contributions to build a sense of trust and camaraderie within your team.
5. Effective Remote Communication is Consistent
In a remote work setup, it’s crucial to prioritize communication to ensure no one feels out of the loop. The cornerstone of effective communication is consistency, which involves several key practices:
Initiate Regular Conversations
Proactively schedule regular check-ins and one-on-one discussions with team members and peers. Remember, in the absence of impromptu office encounters, these meetings will be the heartbeat of your working relationships.
Make Time for Personal Outreach
It’s essential to actively carve out time in your schedule to reach out to colleagues and maintain connections. This goes beyond work-related discussions and includes time to strengthen personal bonds.
Be Consistently Present
Once you’ve established a routine for communication, it’s important to honor it. Consistently engaging in scheduled calls and responding to messages promptly demonstrates your reliability and commitment to the team dynamic.
Understand Asynchronous and Synchronous Communication Styles
Remote work often involves a mix of synchronous (real-time) and asynchronous (delayed response) communication. It’s important to understand the differences and adapt accordingly.
For example, providing a brief update on a project may be better suited for async communication, while synchronous communication may be better suited for a lengthy discussion or for delivering sensitive information. Our guide on when to use async comms versus synchronous comms breaks this down very concisely.
By adopting these practices, you ensure a stable pattern of interaction that not only builds trust but also creates an environment for open, clear, and continuous dialogue. This consistency in communication is pivotal for fostering a cohesive and supportive remote work culture.
6. Foster Collaboration with Remote Team Building Activities
Creating an atmosphere that achieves the camaraderie of in-person teams is both possible and invaluable for both remote teams in the same area, as well as remote teams working across time zones.
The intentional use of virtual team-building activities can elevate morale, foster meaningful connections, and ensure collaborative success. Successful remote team-building activities take various forms, but always aim to be inclusive and engaging. Some common remote team building activities include:
- Virtual Escape Rooms or Puzzles: Collaborative problem-solving under time constraints encourages communication and effective teamwork.
- Remote ‘Lunch and Learns’: These sessions allow team members to share expertise and engage in mutual learning in an informal setting.
- Online Workshops: Hosting workshops related to both personal development and professional skills can be both enriching and bonding.
We also have a specific article digging deeper into some unique remote team building activities to really get your team’s social juices flowing.
7. Show Empathy and Be Emotionally Present
In an environment where body language cues are absent, showing empathy and being emotionally intelligent become pivotal in maintaining robust remote work relationships. It’s all too common for remote workers to default to never turning their cameras on, losing that face-to-face interaction that makes developing friendships so much easier.
As a leader, it’s important to set the tone for empathetic and emotionally present communication. This can be achieved by:
- Using inclusive language: Utilize words that promote connectedness, such as “we” and “us,” rather than “I” or “you.”
- Actively listening: Pay attention to what your team members are saying, and show genuine interest in their thoughts and feelings.
- Acknowledging and validating emotions: Recognize that remote work can be challenging and validate any negative emotions your team members may express.
By prioritizing empathy and emotional presence, you foster a sense of understanding, support, and community within your remote team. This not only strengthens relationships but also promotes overall well-being for everyone involved.
8. Help and Support Your Colleagues Remotely
Supporting your colleagues remotely requires deliberate action and the right strategies to overcome physical separation. Leaders and team members should aim for virtual engagement that is supportive and proactive.
To foster professional growth and development, it’s crucial to provide resources and encourage peer-to-peer mentorship for knowledge sharing and skill enhancement. This means: share your ideas and projects you’re working on with your peers. They are part of your team, and you should help each other grow.
For higher-level management, being a reliable sounding board for ideas and innovation, along with ensuring access to well-being resources, supports the overall health and wellness of employees. It’s vital to prioritize communication and regular check-ins to identify any potential challenges and address them promptly.
RELATED: How to Manage the Health and Safety of Your Remote Workers
Moreover, celebrating both personal and professional accomplishments virtually can boost morale, increase motivation, and highlight the team’s successes. This recognition not only strengthens relationships but also supports individual growth.
9. Listen Actively and Provide Constructive Criticism
In remote settings, messages can easily be misconstrued without the context provided by tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language, leading to misunderstandings and conflicts. Consequently, it is paramount to refine our active listening and feedback skills to uphold a productive and positive work atmosphere.
To listen actively and provide constructive criticism remotely, consider the following practices:
- Prioritize Clarity: When providing feedback, be clear about what was done well and what needs improvement. Clear and precise language helps prevent misunderstandings.
- Choose the Appropriate Channel: Some conversations are better suited to video calls or a phone conversation where tone can be conveyed, rather than text-based communication. This is something we dig deep into in our Placeless Taxonomy.
- Be Specific and Objective: Point to specific instances instead of making general statements. Focus on the task and behaviors rather than personal attributes to maintain professionalism.
- Encourage a Two-Way Dialogue: Invite your colleague to share their perspective and ensure they feel heard. This reciprocal approach can lead to more enriching and productive interactions.
Emphasizing active listening and providing thoughtful, constructive criticism will result in fewer misunderstandings and build a remote team culture where feedback is both valued and utilized for collective growth.
10. Adapt Your Communication Style
Last but not least, adapting your communication style is critical when working remotely. Effective communication is essential for remote team collaboration. To ensure that your intended message is received accurately, consider these tips:
- Understand Individual Communication Preferences: Some team members may prefer frequent check-ins while others prefer more independence. Respect and adapt to each individual’s communication style.
- Leverage Technology: Utilize various remote communication tools, such as video conferencing, messaging platforms, and project management software. Different channels may be better suited for different types of conversations.
- Be Mindful of Time Zones: With remote teams often spanning across various time zones, it’s important to be mindful of scheduling meetings and deadlines that work for everyone involved.
- Provide Written Follow-Ups: To avoid miscommunication, provide written summaries or follow-ups after important discussions or decisions have been made.
You can even consider using a communication charter to provide a structured way for your remote team to communicate with one another and eliminate misalignment in communication styles..
Build a Communication Charter
Use our Communication Charter Template to establish communication norms for your team.
Final Thoughts
Fostering robust remote relationships is essential for both personal career growth and overall team success as workplace flexibility becomes increasingly common. Nurturing these ties might seem challenging, but it’s definitely achievable with the right tools and strategies.
Growplaceless is not just a course ABOUT career development.
Growplaceless is designed to guide professionals through the nuances of remote career development. Providing key tactics to combat proximity bias, build social capital across distance, and design flexible careers, our program is the go-to resource for remote professionals striving for exactly what we’ve discussed throughout this article.
For more information and resources on working remotely, check out our education center.
