Even if making the first move feels kind of awkward, try to remember that it will probably feel really nice for the other party if you do. “Most people are flattered when a colleague wants to get to know them better, Cook says. I don’t know about you, but I have had to be really strategic about creating a personal rhythm since the beginning of the pandemic. If you organize an outing that occurs at regular intervals, you’ll be doing everyone a favor. “Repotting,” according to Ryan Hubbard, founder of the Kitestring Project, means varying the settings in which you interact.
Because we had some extra, meaningful interaction about a particular issue, they explicitly solicited my advice during the next group meeting. Not only did that feel like an ego-boost, it also helped make meeting virtually a lot more pleasant because I was engaged. Spending that extra few minutes lingering in the Zoom room paid off so well that I plan to be the last person to leave every meeting I can. You can’t build a friendship if you only ever talk about work. One study found that while people feel closer the more time they spend together, this wasn’t true at work. In fact, the more time people spent together at work, the less close they felt.
ways to improve your work from home lifestyle
Schedule the occasional coffee break together how to make friends when you work from home over video, and as you begin to get to know each other, you will start to open up more. You might even think of something you can do together over video chats. You might not have much time to talk with someone if you can only speak for a few minutes each day, but patience is the name of the game — lasting friendships take time. In some ways, making friends virtually isn’t that different from online dating in that everyone seems to be waiting for someone else to make the first move. What that means is that, just like on Tinder, nothing happens and therefore nothing keeps happening.
This could be a channel to share tips for keeping those houseplants alive, swap recipes and dinner ideas, or talk about the books people are reading. Just because there’s no seltzer dispenser to gossip around, no cafeteria to gather in, or no office to go to, doesn’t mean you can’t make friends with your colleagues. There are lots of things you can do to get to know them whether they’re a county, a country, or an ocean away.
Engage in Recreational Activities
While the venue is very different, the purpose is the same – you are there to get to know your coworkers a little bit better and have some fun! One way I make sure I talk to my coworkers is to call them instead of IM for quick questions. I want to be respectful of everyone’s time, so I will ask first if they have a second to chat on the phone. I like to ask how they are doing and follow up on any things we’ve talked about before.
Make an effort to meet your coworkers in person when you can.
I’ve shared my tips for working from home before which include the importance of communication. Obviously, if you are trying to build friendships at work, communication is incredibly important. Specifically, I think talking on the phone versus email or IM can really help. Being on the phone with someone facilitates ‘small talk’, which is really important in getting to know someone a bit better and to check in with them personally.
When you make friends, you want them to get to know the real you — not the one they see inoffice chats. So, don’t hesitate to step out of your comfort zone, initiate conversations, and participate in activities that resonate with you. After all, the virtual world is a vast space waiting to connect you with kindred spirits. Whether it’s an online book club or a fitness class, participating in regular activities helps you connect with others who share your interests. Set up informal video calls with colleagues for a quick coffee break or lunch.
For example, if they told me they were going to Vegas last weekend, I will ask how the trip went. It’s important not only to just check in with them but to show that you care and are paying attention by bringing up previous conversations. To build that friendship, you need to act like a friend would and care about the person’s life, inside and outside of work. Some people prefer remote work because there’s less pressure to socialize with coworkers. They may prefer to spend lunch hours and coffee breaks with kids, significant others, roommates, pets, or virtual fitness classes. We explained how to make friends when you work from home quickly and effectively.
- I tried lingering at a few of my meetings last week, and I am here to report that it was a great idea.
- Despite communication on social networks, video conferences with remote colleagues, the impression of loneliness remains.
- Whether it’s an app or a website, find your virtual friend and move the friendship to IRL by suggesting to go for a walk or to get a coffee.
- In fact, the more time people spent together at work, the less close they felt.
- There are lots of things you can do to get to know them whether they’re a county, a country, or an ocean away.
- Coworking spaces are designed for remote workers who crave the community of office space.
Talk to one new person every day
If you’re lucky enough to live in the same area as some of your colleagues, why not meet up in person? In San Diego, I used to meet with 2 colleagues every Friday at a coworking place, and we’d have a nice long leisurely Friday lunch and spend the afternoon brainstorming. It was a wonderful change of pace and a way to have fun with my teammates. Start by building friendships with people you already know, or get closer with already existing friends.
One reason these are successful is because everyone is coming into the meeting ready to chat about things outside of work. Sometimes trying to connect with someone before a meeting or when asking a quick question doesn’t work well when the other person is busy. These remote happy hours are great because you know that everyone is there to chat. We know that having friends at work can have a positive impact on your work life.
It is imperative to establish communication with other people, make real connections, not virtual ones, to make more friends when you work from home. Online groups and communities can be really helpful in forging work friendships when working from home. You can connect with people with similar interests and in similar industries, people you may otherwise not have met. Here’s to building lasting friendships from the cozy corners of your home office!
- You can also drink coffee, grab a snack, and chat in a relaxed atmosphere during a break while discussing interests or everyday problems.
- Here’s how to make sure you are nurturing these critical relationships.
- All you need to do is sign up, search for the hobby or activity that you like to do, and go to one of their meetups.
These are the issues that can really start a firm bond and meaningful connections. Keep in touch with friends or acquaintances through regular messages or calls. Organize virtual game nights or movie watch parties with friends or colleagues. Loneliness is more than just being alone; it’s about feeling disconnected from others.
The Importance of Work Friendships
If you are constantly at home, improve your work efficiency but lose your humanity and essential social skills by disconnecting from reality. It can be easy to nurture a surface-level friendships when working from home, but that doesn’t mean it will become a lasting and meaningful relationship. If you resign from your position tomorrow, would you want to talk to your workplace friends again? If the answer is no, it might indicate a need to get to know them outside of a work environment or scenario.
If you weren’t sure how to make friends when you work from home, your baby or fur baby might be the answer you were looking for. This is a good opportunity not only to become useful but also to get emotional release and warmth, and meet some friends. Volunteering is a great way to meet nice people who care about others. Try to work in the same library, mall, coworking space, or coffee shop. So you can communicate with people while also making permanent acquaintances. It’s an excellent opportunity when you work remotely to improve your quality of life and find more friends.
Leave a Reply