Back to Work: Building Relationships with your Coworkers
As October begins, so does in-person work for many companies around the country. Some of us have started new jobs during the pandemic and have never met our coworkers in person. Some of us have worked with the same people for years, but forgotten what it was like to interact with them every day. Some of us simply just don’t want to go back to work in person, we want to stay home and not have to come face-to-face with our coworkers ever again.
At some point or another over the past two years, everyone has experienced a downfall in relationships with friends, family, and coworkers due to interacting with them less on a day to day basis. While we have virtually opened our homes and met each other’s families/roommates during Zoom calls, we also have not had the day-to-day camaraderie and face time that solidifies relationships.
So, what is going to happen now that companies are going back to work in-person? What will it be like to meet people for the first time, that you’ve worked with virtually for months? Will things just continue right where they left off?
One of the keys to change is welcoming it with an open mindset. The first step to going back to work in-person to is to accept the fact that things might be a bit awkward and that you and your colleagues will need time to get into a new routine. You might find that each person has changed over the past two years and they might have different opinions or world views than they did before. Take a few deep breaths and keep your heart and mind open.
The next step is to find common ground. Even though you have been working together virtually for quite some time, you still know personal or meaningful aspects about your coworkers that can help you connect further. Worse comes to worse, start at square one and ask your coworker about themselves and what is new in their lives. No one likes to participate in small talk, but it does pave the way for deeper conversations and intense connections.
Small talk might seem small, but it can have a great impact. Asking people to share about themselves and asking specific questions about their lives shows that you care about them and care enough to get to know them more. Small talk is something that does not come naturally on virtual meetings. Most of the time, virtual meetings begin with awkward silences while everyone is muted and waiting for the host to begin. Getting back into this rhythm might take you some time, so come prepared.
If you feel like things aren’t flowing naturally or there are more awkward moments than you are comfortable with, put in a little extra effort and a few extra words. Come prepared with a funny story that happened during your morning or share how excited you are for your plans for the weekend. Talk about upcoming projects and make an effort to collaborate together when you can, instead of taking the easy way out and rescinding to your office alone.
Finally, be positive. A common tip in customer service training is “a smile goes a long way”, which is a tip we are extending to this workplace scenario. Having a positive attitude and being friendly toward your colleagues invites them to be friendly back. It shows that you are glad to be back in their presence and that you value them as individuals.
We spend a huge majority of our time in the workplace, so it is a true asset to establish connection with the people in your workplace. The stronger your bond is with your coworkers, the better your work performance and work life will be.
