Why Remote Work Brings Us Closer
The shift to remote work has transformed how we view relationships in the workplace. Traditionally, office spaces were seen as the ideal environment for building relationships, with spontaneous conversations and personal interactions. However, recent studies have shown that remote work may actually foster stronger connections between colleagues. In this post, we explore the surprising ways remote work brings us closer, both professionally and personally.
Breaking the Myth: Remote Work Enhances Relationships
For years, companies and employees believed that the best way to strengthen work relationships was through in-person interaction. The casual coffee chats, impromptu hallway conversations, and in-office teamwork were thought to be the key to building a cohesive team. But research is now showing that remote work can be just as, if not more, effective in developing meaningful connections.
Beth Schinoff, assistant professor at the University of Delaware, recently conducted a study on the impact of remote work on coworker relationships. Her surprising conclusion was that remote work, rather than hindering relationships, may actually enhance them. By examining thousands of comments on platforms like Reddit, Twitter, and LinkedIn, Schinoff found that remote work allowed coworkers to connect on a deeper level.
How Remote Work Humanizes Your Co-Workers
When we think of office environments, we typically imagine professional facades where coworkers keep their personal lives private. However, remote work breaks down these walls by allowing us to interact with colleagues in a more personal, unfiltered way.
In virtual meetings, unexpected moments—like a colleague’s dog wandering into the room or a child’s voice in the background—create natural, humanizing interactions. These “non-work” moments provide an opportunity to get to know the people we work with beyond their professional roles. In the office, personal details are often kept separate from work, but in remote settings, these personal touches become part of the workday.
Research shows that these informal interactions are beneficial for team dynamics. They help to build trust, empathy, and understanding. When you see your coworker’s pet or hear about their weekend plans or you want to know more about the place they are at the moment, you connect with them as human beings, not just coworkers.
The Role of Leaders in Building Virtual Relationships
The success of remote work doesn’t solely depend on employees—it also requires strong leadership. Leaders play a crucial role in fostering a sense of connection within remote teams. Creating space for personal conversations and casual chats during meetings can help build relationships and create a supportive work environment.
Managers can set the tone for connection by encouraging team members to share non-work-related experiences. A simple question like “How was your weekend?” or “Any fun plans for the week?” at the beginning of a meeting can go a long way in creating an atmosphere where relationships are nurtured. By making space for these interactions, leaders help establish a culture where remote work feels personal and connected.
Remote Work and the Global Network
One of the biggest benefits of remote work is the ability to connect with people from around the world. With teams scattered across different countries and time zones, remote work opens up new opportunities for collaboration and networking. In the past, office relationships were limited to people within a specific geographic area. Today, remote work allows us to interact with diverse individuals from various backgrounds, cultures, and industries.
At Nomads & Pirates, we’ve experienced firsthand how remote work creates a platform for connecting with people across the globe. Through virtual meetings, LinkedIn interactions, and social media platforms, we’ve built meaningful professional relationships that have led to personal connections and even lasting friendships. These virtual networks often go beyond the initial work-related purpose, creating opportunities for collaboration and partnership.
For example, a recent collaboration we had with a remote team based in another country began through a simple virtual meeting. Despite the geographical distance, our team connected on a personal level, sharing stories and experiences that helped us better understand each other. This connection turned into a strong, productive collaboration, and the informal interactions we had throughout the process strengthened our professional ties.
The Surprising Benefits of Remote Work for Relationships
While remote work often faces criticism for being isolating, its benefits for relationships are clear. Remote work fosters more personal, authentic connections by allowing coworkers to share non-work-related information naturally. These moments, which might seem insignificant, actually play a significant role in strengthening relationships.
Moreover, remote work enables more flexible, global collaboration. Colleagues from different countries and time zones can work together, leading to a richer exchange of ideas and perspectives. It’s a shift that’s reshaping how we view workplace relationships and offering new ways to build trust and camaraderie.
Conclusion: Embracing Remote Work to Build Stronger Connections
The transition to remote work has proven to be much more than just a temporary solution—it’s a new way of working that enhances relationships and builds deeper connections among coworkers. Despite the challenges of working remotely, the opportunity to connect with people on a more personal level is one of the most valuable aspects of this new work paradigm.
At Nomads & Pirates, we’ve seen how remote work creates spaces for connection and community. Whether through spontaneous virtual conversations or global collaborations, remote work is proving that strong relationships can thrive outside the office. So, the next time your colleague’s dog makes an appearance on your Zoom call, embrace it—it’s just another reminder that remote work is bringing us closer in ways we never expected.
Photo by Yan Krukau.
Photo by Keira Burton.