Contributing Remotely
A good friend who has worked 100% remote for many years once commented to me, “The hardest part of remote work is worrying they’ll forget I work there. I feel like I have to work extra hard to make sure I’m making a contribution.”
Even with access to the space and equipment needed to do the job, distributed workers can struggle to build the trust necessary to function effectively as a member of a team. How can you ensure you are making a valuable contribution as a remote worker?
Making the Transition
The world of work has changed. An immediate shutdown of offices at the start of the pandemic brought a shift to remote work for millions of employees who had likely never worked from home before. Then, almost immediately, many organizations announced an extension of WFH policies post-pandemic.
According to the Pew Research Center, most workers say it is relatively easy for them to meet deadlines and complete work tasks remotely. The challenges often come with learning new ways of interacting. Remote workers perform their primary job duties alone. Efforts need to be made to not just feel productive, but also connected.
Maintaining Visibility
Here are a few recommendations for making sure you remain visible when physically distanced from the workplace.
We know the benefits of face-to-face interaction when it comes to maintaining relationships, so get together with the team whenever possible. The time can be used to gain a better understanding of how members work and to create important connections. The social aspect of meetings can help build valuable relationships between team members.
Turn your camera on. Remote workers rely heavily on email, chat, and other written forms of communication. These channels lack the visual cues needed to decipher meaning. Having regular face time, even virtually, can help avoid miscommunication and acting on assumptions.
If you don’t have regularly scheduled 1:1 meetings with a team lead, request it. These sessions can be used to share what you're currently working on or any challenges you might be experiencing. Even if the discussions center around work topics, you’ll still be able to get to know your team lead or supervisor personally, set expectations, and build trust.
Don’t feel pressure to be “always on” to prove your worth, but recognize the message a missed email or delayed response can send. Be timely in your interactions. Use the status indicator on your email or online collaboration tool to indicate when you are away.
We are now seeing new forms of work resulting from the pandemic. Many employees now have the choice to continue working remotely or return to the office. Successful remote workers share a few common characteristics, including the ability to work independently, adaptability, and time management - skills for which few receive training. With effort, it is possible for virtual and distributed teams to function as efficiently as co-located teams. Seek opportunities to extend your professional development and improve your communication skills for the new world of work we all find ourselves in.