While there are many tips and pieces of advice on how to be successful when you’re working remotely, there is really no secret formula that fits all. But here we share some of the best practices so you can be happy, content, and successful as part of a team. Just remember that at the end of the day, building a culture of trust, support, and collaboration is important to promote efficiency and productivity among remote workers.
You may be physically separated from your team members as you work—whether you’re working cozily from your home office or finishing your task from a coffee shop—but that doesn’t mean you work separately. As a member of a larger work team, you need to understand your role and what is expected from you. You’re still part of the work processes that involve other people, so you need to recognize how you contribute to the company’s picture of success and failure. Once you set crystal clear expectations about your role, it will be much easier for you to stay efficient and productive.
Because some things may be interpreted differently than you intended when you’re working remotely, communicating effectively will help step up your game. Here at Ylopo, we’re firm believers that there’s no such thing as “over-communication.” When in doubt, communicate. When you want to celebrate even small achievements, communicate. By communicating—and by doing it effectively—there’d be less room for misunderstandings, which will make a huge difference to the productivity of the team.
Oftentimes it can be quite challenging to receive feedback or criticism from your manager, team leader, or even from a co-worker. But remember that there are benefits to receiving feedback, especially when you’ve just started on a role or a task. Constructive criticism is essential for you to improve your skills and help you meet the expectations needed of you.
It might not be easy, especially if the person giving criticism isn’t someone you look up to or it’s someone you haven’t even seen or met. However, instead of questioning the person’s assessment, try to focus on understanding his or her comments and perspective for your own improvement. Whether or not you agree with the assessment, at least acknowledge the effort your colleague made to evaluate you. As a remote team member, learning to give and accept feedback will help you get through the challenges of the work and contribute to building positive relationships with your colleagues.
According to Kevin Eikenberry, a world-renowned leadership expert and consultant, when someone says or does something that doesn’t make sense to you, start with the assumption that their intention was honorable and helpful. Because even though there is email or instant messages that help remote workers to communicate quickly and easily, the lack of visual or verbal cues provides room for miscommunication. And any miscommunication can be worsened by the lack of relationship and trust between colleagues who are working at a distance. Starting with the assumption of positive intent may not always be correct, but it will allow you to have a more productive conversation and will less likely create stress and conflict.
Of course, people who work near each other will always have a chance to have small conversations that could lead to deeper connections and working relationships. However, when you work from home none of this happens automatically. But since you’re still a part of a team, having solid working relationships with your colleagues is important to be happy and successful. You can avoid the feeling of isolation if you intentionally work to build relationships and trust with those you closely work with. Celebrate birthdays and big wins, and make time to check on your colleagues to see how they’re coping.