How To Build Meaningful Relationships In The Virtual World

Few would argue that relationships are critical for both personal well-being and organizational success. In fact, relationships are the currency of business, enabling innovation, progress, and overall success. But beyond the professional gains, relationships are inherently good for people, providing support, motivation, and a sense of belonging in the workplace. Research consistently highlights the benefits of strong work relationships:

• The Niagara Institute notes, “Employees who develop close relationships at work report nearly 50% higher job satisfaction, are more likely to stay longer at their company, and go above and beyond in their roles.”
• Quantum Workplace states that, “Relationships with coworkers are a top driver of employee engagement, with 77% of employees listing them as a priority.”
• Positive work relationships contribute to better mental health and reduced stress, according to studies cited on Positive Psychology’s website.

Building relationships is a skill that everyone must master, regardless of their role. Effective relationship-building requires time, effort, and strong emotional intelligence (EQ) skills. But building relationships in the virtual world comes with a host of additional challenges, requiring a more deliberate and thoughtful approach. Here’s how to build real, meaningful relationships in the virtual world:

Create Organic Opportunities

The idea of creating organic opportunities might sound like an oxymoron, but it’s essential in a virtual setting. In-person relationship building often happens naturally, thanks to spontaneous encounters in hallways, company cafes, and at the proverbial water cooler. These casual interactions are where bonds are formed and strengthened. In the virtual world, though, these moments need to be deliberately created—or they simply won’t happen.

One way to foster these organic interactions is by setting up virtual water cooler sessions. Jenna Guarneri, CEO of JMG PR said, “At JMG, we created a water cooler talk session, called Sip the Tea which gives interns and employees the space to get to know each other and discuss things like the latest pop culture gossip, trends, and favorite movies.” These programmed sessions mimic the casual conversations that would naturally occur in an office, helping to build rapport and camaraderie among team members.

Combine Real With Virtual

Although remote employees might not frequently engage with colleagues in person, when they do, those interactions are incredibly valuable and should be treated as such. These moments provide a rare opportunity to solidify virtually built relationships.

• Offsites. If you’re organizing or participating in an offsite event, structure the agenda to be 80% focused on human connection and interaction, and 20% on business matters. Offsites are ideal for strengthening team bonds in a relaxed, face-to-face environment.
• Office Visits: For those occasional office visits, prioritize personal connection over regular tasks. Schedule in-person meetings and interactions that can’t be replicated online. Avoid spending time on Zoom calls while physically in the office—you can do those once you’re back at home.
• Training: Learning together is one of the most impactful ways to strengthen relationships. Participating in training sessions as a team allows colleagues to get to know each other more deeply, fostering stronger connections through shared experiences. Team-based learning not only helps make the learning more impactful; it also builds networks.

Overcommunicate

One of the major challenges of remote or hybrid work is the reduction in spontaneous communication. Without regular, in-person interactions, it’s easy for people to become disconnected or feel out of the loop. To counteract this, communication needs to increase and be scheduled regularly. The adage “out of sight, out of mind” applies here—communication needs to be amplified to ensure everyone has the information they need and the opportunity to connect.

Overcommunication doesn’t mean bombarding your team with endless emails or messages; rather, it’s about making sure everyone feels informed and included. This could involve setting up regular check-ins, using collaborative tools like Slack for quick updates, or ensuring that all team members are aware of key developments and changes.

Make Meetings Matter

Let’s face it—Zoom meetings often get an eyeroll, and often, it’s deserved. Very few people were trained on how to deliver compelling meetings online and few people seem clear on the Do’s and Don’ts of online sessions. It’s time for everyone to up their game so they can make meetings something to look forward to, not to dread. When done right, virtual meetings can be powerful tools for connection, not to mention a valuable place for personal brand building.

Effective Zoom meetings should include ample time for personal chats, lots of interaction, and a heaping dose of appreciation and kudos. Start meetings with a few minutes of casual conversation to break the ice and build rapport. Encourage participation by using interactive tools like polls, breakout rooms, and whiteboards. Don’t forget to regularly acknowledge and appreciate contributions from team members—this boosts morale and reinforces human connection in a digital environment. People should leave meetings saying, “That was fun!”

Appreciate and Acknowledge

The virtual world has spurred a humanity deficit at work, where regular feedback is diminished and opportunities to acknowledge people for their contributions are fewer. Combat this by making a conscious effort to appreciate and acknowledge your colleagues regularly.

For example, take a moment at the end of each meeting to highlight a team member’s achievement or send a quick thank-you message to someone who went the extra mile. Small gestures of appreciation go a long way in building and maintaining strong relationships.

Use Rich Media

When you can’t be there in person, prioritize video and audio over text-based communication. Rich media—like video messages or voice notes—provides a more complete and emotionally connective experience. It allows for tone, expression, and non-verbal cues that the 26 letters of the alphabet simply can’t convey.

Consider using recorded videos for regular updates. One of my clients, for example, creates a 2-minute video every Sunday night for her entirely remote team. In it, she shares what happened in the past week, acknowledges team members for their efforts, and sets the tone for the coming week.

Building meaningful relationships in the virtual world may require more effort and intention than in-person interactions, but it’s essential for both personal well-being and organizational success. Remember, relationships are the currency of business—invest in them wisely.

William Arruda is personal branding pioneer, keynote speaker, and expert in virtual communication. Join his free online webinar to learn how to transform your online meetings and presentations into powerful, engaging experiences.