Stop Mimicking Real-Life Interactions at Your Virtual Job

If you are a new grad or just-hired remote employee, sitting in a makeshift home office, alone and isolated, eight hours a day isn’t good for your health — or your job for that matter. To truly flourish at work, you need to connect with and trust your colleagues. Trying to mimic the interactions you used to make in-person won’t help. Instead, do this:

First, take the time to invest in all kinds of work relationships. Work relationships support different functions (emotional support, recognition, friendship), and you need all those people in your network to thrive.

Use scripts to build deeper connections. Research has found that using an “interaction script” to structure conversations can improve respect and openness among coworkers — things that are especially important in virtual settings where physical isolation makes it difficult to feel like you are part of a team.
Be present. Avoid multitasking and give people your full attention so they feel heard and seen.

Call out the positives. Sharing personal job accomplishments often sparks inspiration and builds a foundation of collective trust on teama.
Show vulnerability. Being open about your setbacks will make you seem like a real, relatable person.