Remote work is not a new approach, but it is easier than ever, thanks to our technology. Now, more than ever, employees need to adopt strategies to ensure their voices are being heard.
When you work from home, you might feel lost because you are behind a screen and do not spend real time with your coworkers. As a result, it may be challenging to show your worth and how capable of an employee you are.
If you think it is easier said than done, we have prepared a list of the best tips on how to shine as a remote employee.
Prepare your space
Setting up a designated workspace for work is one of the basic (and most significant) things you can do to succeed in working from home. Having a distinct workspace, whether a home office, or a corner in your home, will help you be more organized.
Office space with closed doors is desirable, but if that is not possible, try to find a peaceful area in your home. A space where you will not get interrupted and distracted frequently.
Also, test your internet to see if it can handle video conference calls and that you can add bandwidth if needed.
Test out your remote capabilities
Test your equipment and ability to access everything you need from your home office. Make a list of all the problems you are experiencing and go over them with your tech support team.
You should also make a list of any equipment you need, such as a printer or scanner. Discuss with your employer on getting you set up, so you can carry out all your responsibilities.
Take part in virtual meetings and do not hide
When you were in the office, you had a dynamic with your coworkers. Now, with remote work, it is crucial to keep that synergy between the teams. Are you asking yourself how to achieve this? Well, communication is the key to this work style.
Many online platforms enable virtual face-to-face team collaboration. Whether you are using Microsoft Teams, Skype for Business, or Zoom, it is crucial to keep the synergy.
Attend all the virtual meetings and communicate.
It is easy to hide behind your emails and not turn your camera on when working from home. When you are hiding, you are blocking yourself from interacting with your coworkers.
When it comes to a performance assessment, that attitude does not help. Always remember to be proactive, engage and be a part of the team.
Establish rules of engagement and say more than ‘Hello’
It is usually the responsibility of a team leader to create protocols for engaging, but you can also step in. You should submit ideas for the best methods to stay in touch, such as scheduling a weekly check-in call.
Make sure to sync with your team leader frequently.
Every week you should also provide your team leader with an update. That can be a report on what you have been working on, or you can ask any questions you might have. Be sure to make the first move and request this time so you can be as effective as possible.
Build and nurture relationships
Get to know your coworkers as individuals.
Developing friendships will make everyone on your team want to speak with each other. It will also keep you connected and on the same page.
Find a way of bonding with someone you can turn to if you have problems or have a query that can not wait.
It is always good to build and maintain relationships with your coworkers.
You can, for example, join the conference call a few minutes early to chat with other coworkers or make a small talk on Monday via chat.
Also, keep in mind to respond to emails quickly to avoid having to ask many follow-up questions.
Be visible and available
When a team is geographically separated, maintaining visibility can be difficult.
If video conferencing is not something you do daily, you will need to make an effort to be visible in other ways. For example, check-in with your team leader or team via email, Slack, or weekly phone call.
Also, let your coworkers know when you will be available for conferencing so they can know when to call you.
Establish common goals
When coworkers are not connected, they need to have common goals that bring them together. Technology can help, but it will not be enough to make a remote team effective.
Everyone on the team should be able to relate what they are doing to the team’s general goal.
In a remote team, everyone should be thinking about how they may involve their coworkers. For example, seek advice, provide ideas, and recognize others’ efforts.
Do the work
The best method to earn management’s trust when working from home is to keep performing as usual.
Make yourself available, stay consistent, and deliver results.
Keep in mind that your manager will not be able to see you working. So the only way to judge your performance will be by the metrics you meet or do not meet.
Conclusion
Working from home means doing the same thing you have always done but from a different location. Thereby, do not overthink it. Relax and enjoy not commuting, drinking your coffee, and listening to your music.
Remember that you, not your workplace, are the source of the talent and knowledge you bring to your job!