Working from home has some incredible perks: no commute, a flexible schedule, and the ability to work in your pajamas. But it also comes with a unique set of challenges, and one of the biggest is building genuine relationships with your coworkers. When you're not bumping into people in the breakroom, grabbing lunch together, or chatting by the water cooler, it's easy to feel disconnected. Those small, informal interactions are often where the strongest workplace bonds are formed. Without them, your team can start to feel less like a group of people and more like a list of names on a screen. That’s why it’s so important to be intentional about fostering connections in a remote environment. Strong relationships with your colleagues lead to better collaboration, increased job satisfaction, and a powerful support system.

Beyond the Work Chat

Building relationships from your home office requires a little creativity and a lot of intention. Here are some practical strategies to help you connect with your colleagues on a more personal level.

1. Schedule Virtual Coffee Chats

This is one of the most effective ways to replicate the informal chats that happen in an office. Reach out to a coworker and ask if they’d be open to a 15- to 20-minute video call just to chat. The key is to have a single rule: no work talk allowed.

This is your chance to get to know them as a person. Ask them about their weekend, their hobbies, or what they’re watching on Netflix. It might feel a bit awkward at first, but these brief, casual conversations are incredibly powerful for building rapport. Try to schedule one of these chats every week or two with different people on your team. It's a small time commitment that can make a huge difference.

2. Turn Your Camera On

It might be tempting to leave your camera off during video meetings, especially on days when you haven't combed your hair. However, being able to see each other's faces is crucial for building connections. So much of our communication is non-verbal—facial expressions, smiles, and nods show that you're engaged and listening. When your camera is on, you are no longer just a faceless voice; you are a real person. It helps create a more personal and human connection, making interactions feel less transactional.

3. Use Your Team's Chat Tools for More Than Just Work

Most companies that work remotely use a chat tool like Slack or Microsoft Teams. These platforms are great for work-related communication, but they can also be used to foster a fun and social team culture.

See if your company has any non-work-related channels, like #pets, #music, #cooking, or #random. Participating in these channels is a great way to share a bit of your personality and find common interests with your colleagues. You can post a picture of your dog, share a great new recipe you tried, or talk about a movie you just saw. If these channels don't exist, consider suggesting that one be created. These informal spaces provide an outlet for the kind of lighthearted banter that builds friendships.

4. Be an Active Participant in Meetings

In a remote setting, it’s easy to fade into the background during a meeting. To build relationships, you need to be visible. Arrive a minute or two early to the virtual meeting and engage in the small talk that happens before everyone joins. Ask people how their day is going.

During the meeting, don't just sit there silently. Ask thoughtful questions, offer your opinion, and publicly acknowledge your colleagues' good ideas. Saying something like, "That's a great point, Sarah, I really like how you framed that," shows you are listening and value their contribution. This kind of positive reinforcement helps build a supportive team dynamic.

5. Find Your "Work Bestie"

Even in a remote setting, it's helpful to have one or two people you feel especially close to. This is someone you can send a quick private message to when you need to vent, ask a "stupid" question you're afraid to ask the whole group, or share a funny meme. This relationship often develops naturally, but you can help it along. If you find you have a lot in common with a particular colleague during a team meeting or coffee chat, make an effort to connect with them more often. This peer relationship can be an incredible source of support and camaraderie.

6. Celebrate Your Teammates' Successes

When you're not physically together, it's important to be intentional about celebrating wins, both big and small. If a coworker does a great job on a project, send them a congratulatory message. If it's their birthday or work anniversary, make sure to wish them well in the team chat. This shows that you are paying attention and that you care about them as a person, not just as a coworker. Creating a culture of appreciation makes everyone feel valued and more connected to the team.

7. Don't Be Afraid to Be a Little Vulnerable

Building real relationships requires a bit of vulnerability. This doesn't mean you have to share your deepest secrets, but you can share a bit about your life outside of work. Mentioning that you're struggling to balance work with your kids' online schooling or that your dog is driving you crazy can open the door for others to share their own experiences. These moments of shared humanity are what build trust and turn colleagues into friends.