Remember Valentine’s Day 2020? You likely had dinner plans with a loved one or good friends, you brought in some candy to the office and you and your colleagues gathered at some point in the day to share Valentine’s treats in the office kitchen. It felt so good…….

The truth is that scenario was not about the anticipation of the evening ahead or the sweets at work; it was about your workplace relationships. You knew those people, you had fun together, you could rely on them, you had a common bond. Who knew that within one month you would be working from home in your pajamas and that you would be faced with what remote workers have known for years – that building and nurturing workplace relationships is hard work!

Whether you are an individual contributor or a manager of others, it is virtually impossible to succeed in your career without good relationships with your colleagues. One of the more common challenges that we as executive coaches hear from our clients is about work relationships. Clients may be struggling with solving complex problems, making important decisions or preparing for important meetings; however, underneath all of these challenges is the need to have the right kinds of relationships with others so that they are not tackling new challenges alone.

Why does nurturing relationships at work feel like so much more effort now? It’s quite clear that we have gotten out of the habit. Many workers no longer have the opportunity to gather in the office for casual chats, or at least not all on the same day. Some workers started new roles remotely and have not had an opportunity to have proper onboarding. Some have never met their co-workers in person in 2+ years. In some instances, co-workers do not have a view of what the other is doing, so they do not have common work interests to speak about. And let’s not forget, studies show that workers in the U.S. are suffering from higher levels of anxiety, and that can result in a reluctance to socialize with co-workers.

The good news is that it is not too late. You can tackle this challenge and start taking steps to rebuild strong work relationships. Consider the following:

· Maintain a positive outlook when interacting with others.

· Offer to help others.

· Show appreciation to others whenever you can.

· Mentor more junior people.

· Take the time to complement others when warranted.

· Make space to ask how the other person is REALLY doing, their weekend, their projects.

· Be intentional about finding opportunities to gather in person.

· Establish a process for ongoing communication.

· Set a cadence for regular one-on-one meetings with internal and external stakeholders; this is especially important if you are a remote worker.

Making a practice of following these guidelines can lead to mutual trust and respect – a foundation for strong relationships. Solidifying relationships takes time. Be patient. Be deliberate. Be generous.

There is no better time than Valentine’s Day to focus on your relationships. Not only do you have a chance to make someone else’s day, but you can take an important step in enhancing your career.

Springer Alvarez is a team of executive coaches working with companies and professionals who are navigating the new world of work. Their work includes insights into current trends in talent management, leadership development and preparing for a future of work that is mutually beneficial to both employers and employees.

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