3 Ways to Make Friends Remotely

Before people even feel comfortable opening up to you, however, you need to build trust. Many people think that in order to be seen as “friend material,” they have to appear very interesting.

Theorists have inferred that friendships can be forged due to literal closeness. Is making a few new friends at work a solution to this loneliness problem? And could it also do something to help slow The Great Resignation? I spoke with experts and people who have successfully forged friendships at work to get their best advice on how to make a work friend. It might not seem like a big deal, but in this new world of remote work, it’s not as easy as it used to be. And it’s relatively new territory for me, as a 24-year-old who’s held an assortment of office and remote jobs since graduating in 2020.

Workplace friends reduce burnout and boost productivity.

Jacob Ma, wearing a purple shirt, has been organizing social events for his Seattle-area team at the software company Qualtrics since joining in January. Friendship how to make friends when you work from home is not built from one interaction; it grows gradually. According to the mere exposure effect, we unconsciously like those we are more exposed to.

• He has over a decade of freelance and small business Public Relations and Marketing experience that includes both B2C and B2B focuses.
• Many of my closest friends have come from two schools that I worked at for over forty years.
• Fill in the gaps by joining conversations in Slack, sharing emoji reactions, and liking social posts.
• The important thing is to show that you can both listen and make interesting contributions to the conversation.
• Those are three steps to help you get out there and start meeting more people.
• With so many different ways for remote workers to stay social in the real world, loneliness will have a very hard time creeping in on your watch.

She virtually befriended a number of colleagues in Slovenia, where the company’s founders hail from, through online chats and silly Slack channels like one dedicated to the pop star Harry Styles. She finally got to meet her virtual work friends at a weeklong off-site in July that started in the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana, and went up into the Julian Alps.

Tips for making friends at work

Show that you are listening actively by nodding, maintaining eye contact, and following up what they say with questions or comments. For example, “Where’d you get those shoes? I’ve been looking for a pair like that.” Do not squint, look bored, frown, or look deadpan.

A lot of our shyness is carried in our bodies, but body language can be difficult to read. If you’re nervous or shy, some of your gestures – like folding your arms, keeping your head down, avoiding eye contact and more – might be coming across not as shy but as surly or unfriendly. Make an effort to track your own body language and consciously show that you are open to talking and making friends with your colleagues.

Company

So it was reassuring to hear that this isn’t something that’s totally up to you or me. Krista https://remotemode.net/ GrayKrista Gray is a web producer and freelance writer who lives in San Francisco.

• It’s not about the type of office or the perks of the job.
• Marisa Franco, Ph.D., was previously a professor at Georgia State University, where she became an academic expert on friendship.
• Some online work friends have even found success taking their hangouts offline once the vaccine rollout made socializing and travel easier.
• My favorite example of this practice happens at the 10-person distributed company Lawyerist, which holds regular “Taco Tuesday” lunches.
• And I want you to notice something – none of what I shared addresses what you do, and that is on purpose.

When work ethic is compromised and seniority and experience do not matter I do believe that this will affect overall quality of work and productivity. It’s a different environment in the work place these days. Many of my closest friends have come from two schools that I worked at for over forty years. We’ve traveled together, and spent many a day with their grandkids, children, and spouses. We’ve even consoled each other during family losses. We have a review article on apps and websites to meet new friends.

The Internet is your friend (sort of)

When you figure out their communication preferences, you’ll know the best way to respond. They stab you in the back even if you’re not doing anything wrong. I don’t hang out with any of my coworkers even the one who’s my neighbour. “To have a friend means to share and to listen, to trust and be trusted, to feel safe and supported, and to be there for each other,” wrote Nelly V. Tacheva, who is a founder and CEO. Let them know you want to spend time together but are struggling to find the time.

Look people directly in the eye when they are speaking to you and offer them a warm, friendly smile. Arrive 5 to 10 minutes before a Zoom meeting starts and chat with whoever else shows up.

Find areas of common struggle

Thanks to the bond we formed as colleagues, I know that we will remain friends no matter where we are in the world. Even if you are not able to cover the cost everyone’s food for your own communal meal, you can make it feel like a group experience by choosing the menu and curating the guest list.

• Working from home doesn’t have to be a solo endeavor.
• While sprints may not seem like ideal moments to socialize, the safe space of a video call — without the pressure of a meeting agenda — allows for moments that end up building friendships.
• We also have a more in-depth guide on how to build a social life.
• In our experience, when one of us is feeling weird about something in the friendship it’s not always a total surprise to the other person,” say Sow and Friedman.

” Co-workers get a sense of your hobbies and tastes from the musical instruments, books, sports equipment, art, photos, or belongings in the background. But you should also keep an eye out for the other interests that can help you make friends at work. Maybe you both love the same sport or have similar taste in films. For an introvert, activities like this can be particularly useful because they involve spending time together more passively. If you’re worried about making conversation all evening, attending an event where you’re expected to be quiet or observant can help take the pressure off.

Morning Rituals a Real Housewife Swears Set Up Her Day for Success

Classes offer the benefit of group exercises and assigned collaboration, which will give you the chance to hone your skills or explore your interests while connecting with like-minded people. Your local community college is a great place to begin your search. You might also consider local stores and studios for creative activities like cooking, dancing, or jewelry making. “It’s really hard to make friends over Zoom, and it’s definitely easier for me to meet someone in real life and see whether we might want to hang out again outside of work,” says Mr. Ma, 27 years old. Today, he has a couple of colleagues he hangs out with regularly on the weekends and continues to organize events roughly once a month.

Here’s what we’re sharing with our investors and stakeholders each quarter. Don’t just talk about work; share more of yourself. Feeling connected at work is linked to our satisfaction and productivity at work. If you know anyone who struggles with loneliness or social isolation, share this post. Step number two is be interested, not interesting. Most of us want other people to find us and our businesses interesting and captivating and fascinating.

Don’t Take Part in Office Gossip

Whether an employee works remotely or in an office or hybrid work model, we’ll explore why work best friends can benefit coworkers, businesses, and the overall company culture. Learn what workplace friendships mean for productivity and company culture. I’m willing to bet you’ve heard this advice before. Hell, there’s even a book calledThe Power of Yesabout all of the enriching things that tiny word can bring you.