Building Your Network and Meaningful Relationships in a Remote Environment

July 19, 2024

In a post-COVID world, working remotely is becoming the new normal for many white-collar workers, for better or worse. While having the option of remote work can be beneficial, that does not mean it is without its shortcomings. Maintaining and creating meaningful professional relationships with your colleagues can suffer in a remote world, but it doesn’t have to

It may not have seemed like it, but cracking jokes at the water cooler or running out for coffee with your office neighbor could, at times, be as essential to your professional development as drafting a pleading or reviewing a document. You were building your professional network by doing this, and just because you are no longer face-to-face with these colleagues does not mean that the relationship building should stop. In fact, in a 2023 study, 67% of participants found that their relationships with colleagues had improved since working hybrid or remotely. And though that study does not tell us how those participants kept such strong relationships with their professional peers, we were able to come up with a few ways of our own to guide you in building a network and maintaining those meaningful relationships in a remote environment. 

Talk to your colleagues. Proximity to the office does not have to negatively impact communication. Today, we have methods of communication right at our fingertips. In the corporate world, they range from Microsoft Teams to Slack, and no matter the platform, they are there to be used! Utilize these platforms to speak to and get to know your colleagues but be sure to keep it professional. Offer them support (or ask for support yourself), congratulate them on a recent success, or simply ask how their weekend went. Just because you are not in the office does not mean you cannot get to know who you are working with. 

Tip: LinkedIn is a powerful tool as well! Posting and engaging with those you work with and those within the industry can only help you build your network. Just remember to keep it professional or it can backfire.

Turn your camera on. Meetings and seminars are a given in the legal industry and video platforms have made it possible to make you feel like you are in a conference room from the comfort of your own home. One big difference, however, is that you can’t hide your face in a conference room, so you should avoid hiding your face in a virtual meeting room, too. Studies show that keeping the cameras on in virtual meetings has a positive impact on employee engagement. Staying engaged in what your peers are presenting makes them feel heard and appreciated, which is a great way to build a relationship and to be memorable. Remember that obviously doing other things while a colleague is speaking or presenting is a no-no and can be distracting. Give your colleagues your full attention and courtesy just as you would in an in-person meeting. 

Tip: On top of your regularly scheduled meetings, try to put some 1:1 time on your calendar with your coworkers and supervisors. This is a great way to check in and catch up. 

Remember that being in person is still important. Whether you work for a small local firm or a large company whose home office is five states away, take the opportunity to participate in the extras and spend time outside of your home office. If your firm has in-person meetings or events a few times a year, make the effort to go.

Virtual events are valuable and convenient, but developing a local, in-person network is important for long-term career goals. Attend local events with your state’s bar association or find larger-scaled general gatherings hosted by the American Bar Association. Use Clio as a tool to find events like meetups and national conferences. If you work for a firm or company, bring up the prospect of traveling to industry events and conferences to your organization! Going to these events can be beneficial for everyone in the office, so see if your organization will plan the trip (and foot the bill). Not only will you have a memorable and valuable experience, but this also gives you the chance to bond with your colleagues further and build a stronger foundation for your relationships. If industry events and traveling are out of your budget or you just need additional in real life human contact, consider other ways to get involved in your community and make meaningful human connections. Networking often happens where you least expect it, and many meaningful connections have been made and business developed in casual, social settings. 

Working remotely may seem like it will put a damper on your workplace relationships, but it does not have to. Your work experience is what you make it, no matter where you are located