Most of us have come to appreciate (or at least tolerate) working virtually. It makes setting up meetings simpler, decreases commuting time, allows for more flexibility, and levels the playing field for team members who were already working virtually with nonvirtual colleagues.
But for all its benefits, one thing that working online doesn’t make easier is projecting warmth. It can be challenging to come across as sociable, happy, agreeable, or even playful in a flat, two-dimensional video environment.
That’s a real problem. Warmth is often the first trait that people perceive about us, and on the basis of that initial reading — whether we like it or not — people decide whether our intentions are positive or negative. In fact, warmth is considered more important and more influential than competence — our ability to do the job.
