How can you build rapport with virtual colleagues?

To build a trustworthy rapport with virtual colleagues, it is crucial to weave empathy & respect into the equation. Make an effort to engage in small talk & humour every now & then, rather than being purely transactional every time. This will bring out the human aspect in the interactions, which is often missing in virtual working relationships. Be mindful of the timezones they operate in. Also, connect with them for advice/ opinion on their strengths /area of expertise, thus, making them feel valued by you. Ask about their wellbeing & demonstrate gratitude for any help they have extended to you. Trust is built through mutual respect , consistency & strong rapport strengthened through some of the above actions.

Absolutely, I couldn't agree more. Building rapport virtually is all about fostering real connections. Taking the time to genuinely engage with your colleagues by asking open-ended questions and actively listening shows that you value their experiences. It's a two-way street – sharing a bit about yourself while being considerate not to overpower the conversation can help create a sense of mutual understanding. It's all about making those work relationships feel more personal and meaningful.

From my experience: 1. Constant engagement i.e., Video Calls 📹 2. Active and Responsive 💬 3. Show Genuine Interest 🤗 4. Establish Common Ground 🌱 5. Be Supportive 👏 6. Organize Virtual Social Events 🎉 7. Be Open and Share 🗣️ 8. Maintain Professionalism 🕊️ 9. Set Clear Communication Expectations 📢 10. Encourage Collaboration 🤝

Be cognizant of listening skills and focus on your colleagues even if you are virtual. Your presence is important virtually just as if you were in person.

When you show an interest in others, they're more likely to reciprocate. Start your virtual meetings with a check-in or ask about their weekend plans. These small conversations may seem inconsequential, but they can add up to a deeper relationship over time.

Treat each new team member like a jigsaw puzzle waiting to be solved. Learn what they enjoy, what they don't and why. Be curious and find out who they are and what their interests are. Be sure to note those nuggets of information down and follow up. Changing conversations from "what did you get up to on the weekend" to "how was xyz you mentioned." By creating open communication you can learn what is going on in their world. It will help breed an understanding of their external stressors and know them on a deeper level, helping with building a psychologically safe workplace and stronger relationships where everyone feels seen and confident in bringing their whole self to work.

Laughter. The simplest way to bring everyone together is through laughter. In our zoom meetings my team and I (all virtual) try to create a fun atmosphere full of laughter & smiles. It’s been the easiest way to bond with colleagues. We’ve also had comedy shows, interactive live roasts by comedian, it’s hilarious & creates a feel good moment everyone can share. Very important!

Don’t worry about being interesting, be interested. Building rapport is about being present with those around you, picking up on their ticks and traits from the perspective of a friend or family member and making your exchanges more relationship than task-oriented.

It can be difficult to build relationships and trust with virtual colleagues, so my best advice is to listen and engage. Ensure all team members are included by encouraging open discussions, feedback and team activities to foster stronger relationships. Most importantly, get creative, make it personal, and fun!

Positive reinforcement is by far the best way to make others feel included, valued, appreciated. To define: Positive reinforcement is the act of rewarding a positive behavior in order to encourage it to happen again in the future. Which is why it’s TWICE as important to utilize while you build, retain and retrain successful teams. Positivity is just as contagious as negativity- both cost zero dollars. *Reach out to me directly if you want to network more on these topics!

There needs to be a balance between being there for your colleagues and trusting them to have flexibility. Giving a positive image towards autonomy, creates a positive virtual relationship and a sense of excitement towards catching up. Don't schedule catch ups for right at the end of the day...

Using positive and inclusive language is indeed an effective way to build rapport with virtual colleagues. Positive language can foster a more optimistic and encouraging work environment, which can boost morale and productivity. It shows appreciation and recognition for others' work, which can motivate them and make them feel valued. Inclusive language, on the other hand, promotes respect and equality. It ensures that everyone feels seen, heard, and included, regardless of their background or perspective. It also encourages collaboration and problem-solving, as it involves everyone in the conversation and decision-making process.

How I build rapport with my colleagues is to ask about them and their day before we talk about work. We take the first 5 minutes to catch up with each other. I try to share a funny personal story. A team that laughs together can talk through problems.

You can lead the way in developing norms of inclusive language by simply sharing your preferred pronouns when introducing yourself, adding them to your email signatures and screen names, and encouraging others to do the same. This practice reduces accidental misgendering, helps us build a habit of noticing gendered language, and will also help teammates who are members of the LGBTQIA2S+ community feel just a bit more comfortable (at least around you). Also try not to use gendered language, replace phrases like “thanks guys” with language like “thanks everyone”. In place of gendered language you can use words like everyone, people, folks, team, etc. TIP: when in doubt, use they/them!

I am a strong believe in recognition. There is too little of it and it goes a long way to building strong relationships and trust. It can be an achievement or recognition of effort or being present, turning up for a meeting early, a contribution, supporting a colleague. A sense of togetherness and inclusion can be key. Especially when remote using inclusive language is essential.

With my teams, I use two strategies and they’re equally important. 1:1 and group activities. 1:1s can’t be neglected - make sure they know this is not a work related call, you’re interested in hanging out, knowing them more. Don’t say “let’s schedule it”, actually send the invite, prepare ahead and show up. Do NOT multitask. Team activities - smaller groups are more successful, between 5-12 would be an awesome group size for online games. Don’t split sub groups. Pick activities that can be break down is small time slots. Identify tunes, baby photos, whose fridge this is, scavenger hunt. Be willing to share - open up, tell a bit about yourself, that will encourage others to do the same. Active listen - comment and react what they say!

Utilize Workplace Chat or another platform to create a team/department outlet, and treat it as you would being in person. Greet your colleagues when you clock in for the day, and say good afternoon/evening when you leave. Ask questions, offer assistance, and bounce ideas off of each other to problem solve and increase productivity.

It's important to throw personality into the mix noone likes talking to a robot. Say good morning, how was your weekend and connect before delegating tasks and you'll often see a more productive outcome. Personally I find "forced fun" quizzes/virtual happy hours uninspiring, I'd rather focus on what needs to be done and use spare time to catch up/get ahead/exercise. So ideally you'd find out what works best for the individual.

Absolutely, leveraging technology and media is a fantastic way to build rapport with virtual colleagues. In a remote or virtual environment, technology becomes the primary mode of communication. Therefore, making the most of it can significantly enhance relationships. Video calls allow for face-to-face interaction, which can be more personal and engaging than written communication. They allow for non-verbal cues like facial expressions and body language, which can contribute greatly to understanding and connection.

Respecting each other boundaries and preferences is must. Because sometimes we tend to cross that ‘line’ by mistake if not intentionally. Always remember every audience is different from each other and you can not play the same show to everyone. Rest you will learn in the process itself.

In person or virtually, each team member is different, has different needs and preferences. As leaders, it is our responsibility to determine the needs and goals of our teams and provide the leadership, coaching, mentorship, and communication necessary to get the job done. Virtually, closed loop communication is more important than ever, to ensure understanding of project/ role scope and be able to deploy tools and mentorships rapidly when the need arises. Mentorship virtually can actually be more impactful as long as we are diligent to communicate clearly, concisely, compassionately, and ensure mutual understanding.

Establishing boundaries is really important in any kind of relationship, but what matters most are these two things: 1) talking openly about your boundaries, and 2) realizing that the other person has their own limits too. When you both get where each other is coming from and show that mutual respect, that's when the relationship can truly flourish.

Respectful engagement through listening and learning builds upon a strong foundation of mutual understanding. A strong relationship built on respect (and trust) will get you both through challenging times - and consequentially an agreement on not “what’s in it for me” but rather “what’s in it for us” and the company we work for – to make it better for all.

Each person has their own communication style. Recognizing preference and respecting those differences is essential to building rapport.

Absolutely, respecting boundaries and preferences is crucial in any work environment, but especially so in a virtual one where individuals often have more control over their work settings and schedules. Understanding and respecting your colleagues' work styles and communication preferences can greatly enhance the working relationship. For instance, some individuals may prefer emails over instant messages for non-urgent matters, allowing them to respond in their own time. Others might appreciate a quick video call to clarify complex issues. Respecting time boundaries is also vital. Since remote work often involves different time zones.

This is absolutely key for virtual work to thrive. Depending on the role of course, some people naturally excel first thing in the am and maybe tail off, others start steady and zoom off into the evening. The key is to find these sweet spots and maximise them for everyone's gain.

If you don’t know, ask. Asking about or clarifying people’s boundaries and preferences is a wonderful way to show respect and build connection! In the course of our busy days it can go unnoticed that we’re simply assuming others’ preferences and boundaries mirror or own. For example, sending a long and detailed email at 4:52pm on Friday and assuming our colleague knows we don’t expect them to read it until Monday. Let’s not make assumptions! Instead let’s schedule that email to send during a time that fits that colleague’s preferences/boundaries and our timeline. Also, once someone has shared their boundaries/preferences try your very best to respect them. If incident does arise where you can’t, explain why and tend to the impact of that.

Feedback for me is still best spoken. Too often have teams messages, texts etc about serious matters become more convoluted than necessary. Short commands or how are yous, fine to use instant messages. Anything important or complex should always be walked through.

In my experience, delivering crucial conversations must be done with video on. Body language is the majority of communication; as leaders it is our responsibility to be tuned into the reactions of our team members. Video conferencing allows us to have real time information; we can manage the situation ensuring a successful crucial conversation. Our team can see we are paying attention to how they are receiving the feedback, we are able to have empathy in the conversation, and context is much more clear. Precise examples are key - virtually as well as in person - when providing positive and negative feedback. A blanket "well done" does not impart the same effect as a thank you for the excellent quality of service delivered to client y.

An important way to build report, not just with virtual colleagues, but with all colleagues, is to help them achieve their goals and improve themselves. We all want to do a great job, not just at work but in life, and so often it can feel like your colleagues are indifferent to your success at best, and antagonistic at worst. When you truly take an interest in someone's success and help them achieve their goals, even on a small scale, you will build trust and report with that person.

The very first step in giving or receiving feedback is assuring the person wants it and is ready to receive it. This can be as simple as, “you said something in our meeting earlier that I’d like to give you feedback on, are you open to that? Is now a good time for that?”. Or if you’re the recipient of feedback being willing to say, “I can see your wanting to give me some feedback and I appreciate that. However, I’m not in a space now where I can receive that. Can we check back in at (state time you will have time/space to hear their feedback)”. Badly timed or unwanted feedback is a mistake that happens far too often and is so easily avoided.

Feedback should be constructive. It can effectively be linked to development of skills. It should be done on a 121 basis and not infront of others (unless it comes under the recognition heading in which case group can be positive). It should include the opportunity for the person to participate and engage in the process especially focusing on steps to improve. It should be clear so specific.

I love celebrating achievements and milestones, especially in a virtual environment. Building a team community can be challenging, but it’s terrific when you can celebrate and bond. COVID helped us connect deeper with my colleagues because we engaged intentionally. They have become a second family. It has been my experience, even virtually, that connecting deliberately and celebrating can create proper connectivity.

Make it fun, and bring positivity into the meetings. How the meeting starts can really set the tone, starting off with a light reminder of how much you have already accomplished, the goals you have reached, or a positive outlook on what is to come is a great way to uplift the energy and get others involved. Say things like "Hey team we are halfway there, way to go" and "Keep up the great work team, we are making meaningful progress"

I agree! Calling out and celebrating successes for team members builds rapport and trust in any environment, and is especially powerful in a virtual setting. And, for me, when I’m given a shoutout for doing something well, my motivation skyrockets!

In this new world of work, it's very simple to acknowledge the small to big wins of your colleagues. JUST BE PRESENT. Much like empathy, making your presence known to people who least expect it is like lighting a spark in a long-term, healthy and continuously uplifting work relationship. You may think of it as a small act but if each and every one in the organization pops out a confetti for one person, the impact ripples wide! And it will soon become a habit; then, eventually, a culture.

Celebrating work based wins is important and so too is celebrating personal wins! A colleague just finished a degree, overcame an illness, participated in a contest or race, or some other positive thing. Acknowledging personal wins is so important because it also illustrates that we are whole human beings with an entire life outside of this job/role. When leaders celebrate personal wins it shows all staff that they recognize and appreciate this and when staff do it for one another it shows mutual respect and appreciation in the same way. It’s also a great way to find areas of connection and learn new things about your colleagues. So celebrate joys at work OFTEN! Personal and professional.

In my experience, I've discovered that active listening, empathy, and understanding are absolutely essential when it comes to building a strong connection. This rings even truer in the virtual realm where face-to-face interactions are limited. These qualities demonstrate a genuine dedication to appreciating others' viewpoints and emotions, which in turn builds trust and paves the way for open and honest conversations. Moreover, let's not forget the significance of patience. Patience becomes a real game-changer, especially when working together remotely. It's what lets those meaningful connections unfold naturally, leading to stronger and long-lasting bonds among us virtual team folks.

In my experience, creating backgrounds that invoked conversation worked great for me. For example, my Zoom background was my vinyl collection for years. I’d remember an artist a team member mentioning in general convo, and put their album front and center (I have just about every popular album you could think of). It gave us something to talk about and helped build rapport.

Make sure to carve out some space for casual chitchat – you know, the "watercooler" stuff – in your meetings. You can slot it in either at the beginning or wind up with it at the end. Try kicking off the room a tad earlier than the official start time, allowing folks to trickle in and catch up. In the midst of back-to-back meetings, dedicating just 5 minutes for some friendly banter within a 25-minute session can work wonders in cultivating stronger connections among the team. We often take for granted how valuable those conversations are when we are in-person.

Try and think outside the box, small things you can do to show more body language even through a video screen, ensure you are making eye contact with your camera when speaking to allow others to connect with you easier, tilt your camera so not only your face is showing up also your upper body if you can so others can see your body language and relate to you more as if you are in the same room as you. And most importantly, make sure you have good lighting so others can see your face and expressions.

I have discovered that authenticity is key to establishing relationships. Showing up as your authentic self can be the game changer to establish a fruitful working relationship.  As the world has become more and more digital it can be tempting to only present what I like to refer to as the "PR version" of yourself;only presenting what you think will appeal to industry peers or industry leaders. Authenticity can play a pivotal role in building rapport with virtual colleagues. Our differences make us unique however discovering that you share certain aspects in common with a virtual colleague cultivates a certain level of camaraderie that is essential for successful collaborative efforts and that can be discovered through being authentic.

In a virtual format, the human aspect of business and connection is essential. While we have many efficiencies created from virtual work, we must work a bit harder to have that human connection. Fostering a psychologically safe environment for crucial conversations as well as mentorship and leadership coaching are keys to successfully navigating virtual teams successfully.

Experience and consistency of that experience build rapport. Whether it’s integrity and follow through, or even less virtuosic in nature, repeated behaviors tend to build a strong rapport. It’s easier than you may think to become the person who can be counted on for (verb) or the the manager that totally (adverb verb) We’ve all had the (adjective) client because they always did (verb) like clockwork.

In my experience, active communication is key. Regularly engage in video calls or meetings to put a face to your name and create a more personal connection. Be an ACTIVE listener during these interactions, showing genuine interest in their thoughts and ideas. Active listening promotes better understanding. When you truly listen to your coworkers, you're more likely to grasp their ideas, concerns, and needs accurately. This understanding can lead to more effective collaboration, problem-solving, and decision-making. Additionally, don't underestimate the power of informal conversations; take time to ask about their weekend or share a funny anecdote to foster a sense of camaraderie.

Given the way most corporate teams operate, multitasking is often the norm, and my observation is that it's essential to either seek clarity or offer it. Especially true for roles in Product Management. By doing so, you're not just exchanging information; you're building trust and rapport with your colleagues. Effective collaboration isn't just about what we're working on together, but also how clearly we understand each other's roles in the bigger picture.