Tips that will help you better prepare for remote work.
I have worked remotely for many years, teaching online classes, leading remote projects and teams, and working as an individual contributor. I have also worked closely with people who either have a flexible work schedule or work remotely full-time. Because of Covid-19, the trend of working remotely has accelerated. More companies will continue offering their employees flexible work opportunities, and more people will be looking for such jobs.
If you are looking for a remote job or are already working remotely, how can you better prepare for this type of work? In this article, I would like to share a few practical suggestions.
Tip 1: Adjust your communication style. Remote work is very different from working in the office because you can’t just stop at your colleague’s desk to ask a question and get answers immediately. Remote work relies heavily on asynchronous style of communication. My suggestion for any employees who work remotely is to be proactive and responsive.
This morning, I had a quick 5 minute spontaneous virtual meeting with my colleague who texted me and asked me a question. I could have waited for an hour to help her but instead I jumped on a video call with her right away.
When working remotely, it is very important for coworkers to know that they can rely on each other. For example, knowing how to get a hold of each other and knowing that your colleague will respond quickly will help create trust which is key to establishing a productive remote work environment on your team.
Tip 2: Be proactive. This tip goes back to your collaboration and communication style.
- Ask yourself – are you reliable? Are you proactive?
- Do you lead your work or wait for others to tell you what to do?
- Do you communicate with your peers clearly and frequently? Do you reach out to them when you need their help?
- Do people you work with know how to get a hold of you and you respond quickly?
These are important attributes that literally make or break a remote work culture. Nobody wants to work with a person who takes days to respond to emails, who doesn’t return calls, who is silent for weeks, and who doesn’t proactively seek input and feedback.
Employees, when you are about to start a remote job, come prepared. Prepare yourselves to be more proactive and adopt a collaborative mindset.
Managers, when you interview candidates, ask them questions to find out more about your candidates’ communication style and soft skills. In a remote office, it will be crucial for your team’s overall well-being and productivity.
Follow my blog posts for more tips on creating a thriving remote work culture, employee engagement strategies, new employee on-boarding, virtual training, and more.