Check the schedule and see who else is working that day, and if your coworker thinks you’d all click, ask if they’d like to come along. The same thing applies if the roles are reversed, and you’re the one who’s introducing the newbie to potential office friends. Don’t set your sights higher than a three- or four-person hangout, as that could make others in the office feel excluded, especially if you’re working on a team that rarely goes in-person. You don’t need to be a sports fanatic to get some exercise and meet new people at sporting events. Again, it’s just the act of going that can lead to social interactions and help you learn how to make friends when you work from home.
Coordinate times with your workplace colleagues to have some one-on-one or small group time if you can. Connecting when not every worker is in the office can be a challenge. Here are some steps you can take to build workplace friendships and reap their considerable rewards. Last but not the least, make sure you continue to meet or keep in touch with your co-workers instead of the ‘one and done’ approach. Maintain your relationships with them be it online or offline so that you stay friends for the long haul.
Take Advantage of Existing Opportunities
And a recent McKinsey report says that percent of the workforces in advanced economies could work from home between three and five days a week without a loss of productivity. I’m not going to tell you that’s a hard-and-fast rule—you won’t magically enter habit-mode after 66 days. With this approach, you’d try out technique A on Day 1 and technique B on Day 2. Track your mood and productivity over a couple of weeks and you’ll get a fair idea of which technique works better for you.
Humor is a great way to break the ice, defuse tension, and encourage creativity by lightening the mood. It’s also a great unifier and an important part of many successful team relationships. Don’t let it dissuade you, however, from tapping into the random chat every once and a while. You might get the sense of someone’s personality, likes, and dislikes that would make you interested in linking up with them outside the depersonalized, emoji-filled world of messaging apps. Reddit is a great source to find an open mic night in your area, and even if you don’t want to display your talent (or lack thereof), people are genuinely friendly and willing to talk to you. If you’re a bit of an introvert or you’re already at your computer screen, finding online interest groups is far easier than you anticipated.
benefits to society of remote work
Co-workers will be more likely to want to be your friend if you show them you like them, by doing things like greeting them warmly, speaking highly of them, and celebrating their success. Friendship is not built from one how to make friends when you work from home interaction; it grows gradually. According to the mere exposure effect, we unconsciously like those we are more exposed to. Scheduling an informal chat is great, but this chat needs to repeat for a friendship to develop.
- Chat systems are often used by remote workers not only to collaborate on projects but also to blow off steam or do fun things like sharing pictures of their pets.
- Every Friday team members come together to watch a movie using Teleparty and chat about their week.
- For example, by breaking up the monotony of the day through rituals, call backs, shared interests, games, or humor.
Such a channel where co-workers congratulate each other for various milestones makes everyone feel included. You can also start a virtual book club or invite everyone to take part in a weekly yoga session. To make friends with your colleagues, you’re going to need to let your guard down a little bit. You don’t need to share deep secrets, but you should try to make interactions about more than just work. Begin meetings with a, “Today I…” or “I just ate a…” to bring to mind that you’re all human first, and remote workers, second.
Reiterate that your virtual office door is always open.
A marketplace where current and aspiring remote workers find new job opportunities and up-skill with online courses. Remote companies can use our recruiters to source local and global talent. If you’re a manager, for example, your direct reports may not feel comfortable connecting with you on social media.
