The 3% Conference: Creating Strong Connections Virtually (Part 2)

By Arielle Claypool

In part two of our 3% Conference series, we’re taking a closer look at another issue impacting the future of work in 2020: How to create strong connections in a virtual world. Want to read more about our key learnings from the 3% Conference? Check out our first piece on taking authentic action in the age of social justice here.

At the beginning, we thought remote work would be temporary, but after several months, working virtually is our new reality — and likely will be for a while. So, how do we forge strong connections with our colleagues when you can’t just “pop” by their desk for a quick chat or get together at the bar for an after-work drink?

During their session, Claudine Cheever and Cecilia Ambros from Amazon gave us insight into how they as leaders create equity for their employees and continue to build culture in a remote workplace.

• This is anything but normal, but embrace it. Remember the professor who was interviewed via webcam on the BBC and his kids hilariously burst into the room and stole the show? Little did we know then that it would be our reality a few years later. While that was once thought of as a work horror story, it’s rare to get through a call without a barking dog interrupting your client meeting or someone’s baby joining in on an internal team call. Claudine and Cecilia’s teams have learned to embrace these “embarrassing” moments. They’ve even come up with weekly awards to give to team members, such as “best extras casting” for surprise visitors during video calls.
• Working from home has to work (for everyone). Everyone has different feelings and comfort levels during the pandemic. Some want to go back to the office ASAP and others aren’t comfortable yet — and that’s okay. Claudine shared that while most of her team is back in office, some remain at home. Recognizing how difficult it can be for remote workers to feel heard during in-person meetings, her team will continue to hold virtual meetings to ensure they remain equitable for each person, no matter where they’re working from.
• Protect employees’ personal time. As another speaker during the 3% Conference said, it was great to bring your full selves to work, but now “it’s bring your work to your full selves and welcoming it to where you live.” With your office now in your home every day, some employees may find it harder to separate home life from work life. As leaders and co-workers, you can help protect each other’s work-life balance by keeping two hours of each day meeting-free, taking time off to show your team that it’s okay to do so, or regularly ending meetings 10 minutes early to prevent people from going to back-to-back meetings without some breathing room.

A strong and equitable culture is still possible no matter where your employees are working from, but it begins with recognizing that we’re all human.

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To learn more about the 3% conference, visit 3percentmovement.com.