After significant remote work, a recent in-person business trip offered an unexpected and refreshing perspective on the value of human connection, validating the need for more in-office and in-person work settings. In this post, I share three key lessons: meeting coworkers face-to-face fosters deeper trust and camaraderie; engaging with clients in person leads to more dynamic and collaborative relationships; and stepping outside the home office creates space for spontaneous, meaningful interactions. While virtual tools have kept business moving, this experience reaffirmed that real connection still happens best in person — and it's well worth the effort.
For many years in my career, I commuted daily, traveled to meet clients, exhibited at trade shows, and networked at industry events — rinse and repeat. Then, the pandemic arrived.
I quickly adapted to the remote work routine: endless Zoom and Teams meetings, switching between various chats to keep up with the conversations, awkward on-camera/off-camera moments, and the familiar refrain of, “You’re on mute.” But something unexpected happened recently: I went on a business trip — in person — for the first time in over four years. Here are three surprising lessons I learned:
1. Meeting a Coworker in Real Life Enhances Trust and Camaraderie
After working with a colleague for nearly three years remotely, we finally met in person. Over lunch and happy hour, we discussed work, swapped personal stories, and strengthened our collaboration. I realized how much easier it was to build genuine rapport face-to-face — something we should have prioritized much earlier.
Did you know: Teams that meet in person experience a 20–25% improvement in overall team performance compared to remote-only teams.
Key takeaway: Whenever possible, take the opportunity to meet your coworkers face-to-face. It builds stronger trust, deepens understanding, and fosters a sense of shared humanity — making collaboration not just more effective, but more enjoyable.
2. Engaging Clients In Person Sparks Greater Collaboration
Initially, the idea of meeting executives I had only interacted with virtually felt a bit intimidating. But once we arrived, the experience quickly became both energizing and productive. By flying in a day early, we were well-prepared and able to ensure everything ran smoothly. On the day of the meetings, informal conversations between sessions and during happy hour opened the door to shared stories, humor, and personalities that simply hadn’t come through on video calls. One executive even joked that meeting us in person felt like seeing AI come to life.
Did you know: Face-to-face requests are 34 times more effective than email communications. Additionally, 82% of sales professionals say building relationships is easier in person.
Key takeaway: Invest the time and resources to meet clients in person. In-person meetings strengthen bonds, unlock new collaboration opportunities, and demonstrate your commitment to the relationship.
3. Being Away from Your Home Office Can Actually Be Fun
Visiting our company headquarters for the first time turned into a memorable adventure — particularly when connecting to WiFi meant manually entering a 40-character password! Thankfully, a friendly IT team member came to the rescue. That small interaction, along with casual hallway conversations, reminded me that real connection often happens spontaneously — something that's hard to replicate remotely.
Did you know: Employees who have strong workplace relationships report 50% higher job satisfaction and are seven times more likely to be engaged at work.
Key takeaway: Sometimes a change of scenery — and the willingness to ask for help — creates connections that emails or chats never could. Plus, being physically present allows for spontaneous moments that enrich the work experience.
Final Thoughts:
Returning to business travel after four years was more than just a logistical shift — it was a powerful reminder of the magic of human connection. Whether sharing a meal, brainstorming in person, or laughing over a tech mishap, these moments of camaraderie and creativity are difficult to replicate remotely. While technology keeps us productive, in-person interactions build relationships that unlock opportunities and foster deeper engagement. The next time an opportunity arises to meet in person, say yes — you might be surprised at the doors it opens.
