83. On Hybrid or Remote Worker? Double-Down on Work Relationships with Kathy Oneto

Overview

Are you a hybrid or remote worker? And, did you know that in today’s remote and hybrid work environments that many of us are feeling disconnected from each other?

72% of employees say they aren’t able to socialize enough when they’re remote (Workplace Intelligence)
60% of remote workers say WFH (working from home) makes them feel less connected to their colleagues (Pew Research)

That’s a problem. Why? Because having friends, relationships, and a community at work has huge benefits! That means each of us needs to be proactive in making connections and friendships at work.

In this Sustainable Ambition (SA) Quick Tip, host Kathy Oneto talks about all the benefits and offers tips on how to double down on building your work relationships.

The Takeaway: If we choose or have to work from home, over-invest in building relationships.

The Action: What’s one action you’ll take today to start or deepen a relationship at work?

Topics Covered

Kathy shares the benefits of investing in work relationships and how important it is in today’s remote and hybrid-work environments.
Current research suggests that remote employees aren’t getting enough time to socialize and that remote workers are feeling less connected to their colleagues.
That’s concerning given how beneficial work relationships are. People with friendships at work:
- Have higher job satisfaction
- Are more creative, productive, and committed
- Find more meaning in their work
- Have a stronger sense of identity
- Perform at a higher level
- Are more likely to have access to career opportunities
- Are more supported
- Are healthier
- Experience less stress and lower burnout
In her opinion, Kathy states it is not fully companies’ responsibility to make sure you have friends at work; it’s yours. Even if we were in-person in an office, companies don’t foster work relationships, you do. So make the investment, especially when you’re remote.
Kathy offers tips for getting started:
- Start small.
- Assume people like you, and show people you like them.
- Be a giver.
- Create a networking strategy.
- Establish some traditions, rituals, and norms.
- Maximize in-person events.
- Participate in external organizations.
The Takeaway: If we choose or have to work from home, over-invest in building relationships.
The Action: What’s one action you’ll take today to start or deepen a relationship at work?

Resources Mentioned

I’d love to hear from you! Send me a voice note or a question that might be read and answered here on the podcast! Go to https://bit.ly/sapodcast-ask
Laura Vanderkam Research: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/13/opinion/burnout-quiet-quitting.html
Adam Grant on Give and Take: https://adamgrant.net/book/give-and-take/
Create a networking Strategy by Michelle Warner: https://www.themichellewarner.com/networkingthatpays
The research:

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83. On Hybrid or Remote Worker? Double-Down on Work Relationships with Kathy Oneto

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