Over the last few decades, remote work unlocked flexibility, focus time, and global teams, peaking during the crisis of 2020. Remote work also quietly removed the hallway where influence used to happen. When we’re not physically present, the default is invisibility: fewer serendipitous chats, fewer casual “see-you-doing-great-work” moments, fewer sponsors who can speak to our impact in rooms we don’t enter. Skills matter, but in remote environments, relationships turn skills into opportunity.

Decision makers at work are concentrated and typically work together closely. So, while the work can be distributed, decisions about the work are closely held. Projects move or stall based on a relatively small network of decision-makers, influencers, peer amplifiers, gatekeepers, and the cross-functional partners who feel the effects of your work. People are valuable; some relationships, when cultivated intentionally, create mutual additional value: faster decisions, earlier risk signals, cleaner handoffs, stronger narratives about impact. This is not about politics.

Does this sound familiar?

Consider crafting a Relationship Map. Think of it as a visible list of the people (or roles) who shape the outcomes you care about, and who would benefit from your consistent, non-creepy effort to be useful. It’s not a popularity contest, nor are you building backchannels. It’s a clarity tool. When your work is remote, the Relationship Map answers three simple questions:

• Who needs to know, trust, and use what I produce?
• Why does a stronger relationship with them improve outcomes for both of us?
• Where are the gaps between the collaboration we have and the collaboration we need?

The “map” reframes relationship-building from vague networking to purposeful service. It helps you notice roles and customers you’ve overlooked (Finance BPs, Ops leads, Legal reviewers, power contributors) and avoid over-relying on a single convenient champion. It also keeps your effort respectful: you’re not dropping in to be seen; you’re showing up to make your partner’s work easier, faster, or clearer.

Remote success isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being reliably valuable to the right partners. A Relationship Map gives you that focus and language. It reminds you that relationships aren’t “extra”. Relationships are the operating system for distributed work.