How do you build rapport with people at work when you just started?
You only talk to your team via Slack and weekly stand ups but there no more lunch together, ping pong, coffee break, short walks, happy hr, etc. How does someone new build rapport with people in the company when everyone is working remote?
I am skipping on the buddy buddy part and will just focus on the work. I will let them reach out to me if they want to be friendly, a lot of talking through chat can be misinterpreted
Agreed
I don't think this is good advice. We all have a responsibility to be proactive in developing relationships if we want them. Networking matters, even if you're remote, and there's no guarantee that office life will look the same in three, six months, or even a year from now. I think you'll miss out on things if you keep this perspective throughout that time.
I joined a new team in December last year, took few days off after that and after my return WFH started because of Corona. However it is going well now as I started interacting with my team members on their code reviews, design reviews without knowing shit about my own code base. Try to participate and identify things what matter to them.
It’s especially tougher for the new person WFH because the current staff has already built that rapport and have a closer working relationship because they got to work together in same office.
It is tough, current staff has a head start but then you also have to get comfortable with them, learn their style of working and figure out a way to get your work done around them. In my experience if you help each team member solving just one problem they are stuck with it helps immensely to break the ice.
Well said @pgHS36. I got a lot "closer" with one of my team mates during this WFH actually. Of course it could be "annoying" when they reach out to you for help. But I encourage you to help them out. Not only that they will like YOU but you can count on them when you need help too 😊
You have to find ways to have more 1 on 1 or small group conversations with people. Put time on the calendar to eat lunch together, have a coffee, just chat. Others feel distanced too.
This is the thing. Especially early, being even more active about meeting colleagues is key. I set up 1:1's with everyone (I'm working at a small startup, but you can limit to your direct team) and talk with them about their background and yours. Also ask about their priorities and how you could help them, and share your goals for the first 6-12mths with them, and ask how you could achieve them. It will feel more transactional than f2f but it's a good start
Seek out others that are newer too. You’re all in the same boat.
I'm running biweekly you don't know Jack gaming sessions for my team. We also spend twenty minutes of every 1 hour standup shooting the breeze. I've been managing remote teams for ten years, and it's essential to do that.
1 hour standup 😱
Once a week? You can handle it. :-p
Virtual coffees
This... Very fakey fakey. Nothing can replace physical interactions
Your network is your net worth
There are still lots of ways to keep connected. You have to schedule more but can still be spontaneous. I ask my SDM partners for a HH drink one-to-one at least every other week, unscheduled, and we have standing org-wide management and subteam happy hours virtually every week. People are free to filter in and out of them as they please, so attendance stays fresh and varies week to week. You can do the same with your lunch buddies. I have a group from my office that set up a chat pre-covid to coordinate who wanted to go out for lunch on a given day. They now set up a reoccurring meeting that people can pop in and out of, socialize while they eat or take a break. Yet another team I work with was very close knit and leaves an open bridge while they work throughout the day, which most people leave muted until they have something they want to say, ask a question, share something funny, etc. I have worked remotely for about half of my eight years at Amazon. I can say that while it takes a little work up front (mostly in convincing people to give it a try), you can still have very successful professional and friendly interactions with your teams without being in the same room. This has also worked with two of the new people I have hired over the last 3 months; haven't met them in person yet, but we're joking and getting work done as well as the people I've met in person. It's a skill you build.
Eh I wouldn’t worry about it, should count your blessings that you don’t have to get wrapped into office events yet
Haha this.
Seriously. Just leave me alone to do my work. I’m so happy I don’t have to deal with all the fakey “we’re friends we’re a family” shit.