Sooner or later, everyone will come across a workplace that offers remote work. The pandemic accelerated the transition, and the newly evolved standards and new sets of priorities made sure it’s here to stay. Increased productivity, more time for friends and family, and less time spent commuting and staring at your screen purposelessly all sound so lovely, but it’s often hard to know where to start. This article will provide you with tips and tricks to make your remote work experience delightful, and help you excel in your team. Let’s start!
We are all different. Some people like to receive and answer emails, others like phone or video calls. Some people prefer communicating in the morning, others can be productive late at night. Figure out who likes what, and then try to communicate in a way that meets their needs. While there are many platforms that make communicating with remote coworkers possible, not all communication platforms serve the same purpose. For example, an instant messaging platform (like Discord, Slack or Viber) is best for short messages that need a fairly immediate response. Email is usually better for longer messages or something with multiple attachments, and for when you can wait on an answer. Try tying others’ needs together with your preferences, and choose a platform that serves all those needs. Colleagues will appreciate your efforts!
Being proactive is one of the best communication skills for a remote worker. Proactive communication can mean things like sending updates on where you are in your project when you are available or reaching out to people with your ideas. You’ll have more silent time to think in a remote setting, don’t let your thoughts go to waste. Talk to colleagues about your concerns, recommendations and tasks, and be a part of the conversation openly.
If you go remote, suddenly much of your team interactions are going to be in a written form. This can be positive as it gives you a chance to frame your thoughts and formulate them in the best way possible- but also can negatively affect your perceived image if you lack adequate writing skills. No matter how you’re communicating, you won’t go wrong if you focus on these three Cs: Clear, Consistent, and Concise.
Clear means sticking to the facts. Consistency means a definite purpose stated at the beginning, and the willingness to only discuss that certain topic. Concise means no lengthy sentences with unnecessary information.
To help you stick to the three C’s when you communicate as a remote worker, keep the following list in mind when you craft your messages:
One of the challenges remote workers often encounter is the lack of face-to-face interaction. While you can talk to your colleagues about personal matters too, sometimes writing makes the process more time-consuming and less exciting. Even if you stick to work-related topics, sarcasm and oddly formulated sentences can often lead to misunderstandings. When in doubt, take as much time as you need to confirm your clear understanding of everything that’s being said. Conversely, try to keep the same thing in mind when you send out your communications. Consider using a gen Z tactic and add emojis to help get across your offbeat humor.
The lack of coffee or elevator chats and cigarette breaks can prevent you from forming meaningful bonds with your colleagues. Try to make time to meet everyone in person, or add informal online coffee breaks to your calendars. Participate in as many team building activities as possible, and make an effort to keep up with your work friends’ lives. Creating a channel for informal communication might help as well!
