It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic flipped the workplace upside down. However, the emergence of digital nomads and totally remote businesses continued even before that. However, it is not without its flaws. Some employees describe feeling isolated and insecure in their jobs, citing the following examples:
How am I meant to have valuable face time with my supervisor if I don’t go into the office?
How will I feel involved if I’m not a part of the day-to-day corporate culture?
How am I going to keep motivated?
How will I be able to demonstrate my worth?
How will I ensure that my efforts are properly acknowledged?
One of the most significant disadvantages of remote work is the strain it places on teamwork. However, there are ways to make it work. In a virtual setting, staying connected is more than possible. Here are a few pointers.
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1) Stick to the Same Schedule.
Working remotely has its benefits, including the ability to choose your own schedule, but it’s tough to feel like part of the team if you aren’t engaging in some real-time interaction and collaboration. You don’t have to work a regular 9-5 shift every day, but it’s a good idea to put in some time while the rest of the team is busy.
2) Be Aware of Everyone’s Workload.
Your coworkers’ workloads can easily slide “out of sight, out of mind” if you don’t walk past their huge email every day and don’t see your supervisor racing about furiously. Understand what each team member is working on. See if you can assist with any jobs that you don’t ordinarily handle. Similarly, make certain that everyone is aware of the situation. You’re not just out of sight, but also out of mind.
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3) Establish Reasonable Deadlines.
You don’t have access to all of the benefits of working in an office as a virtual employee.
Someone from the IT department is unlikely to come to your aid right away if your machine crashes. Furthermore, both within and outside the business, there are various forms of distractions. Accept the timeframe your teammates set out for their piece of the task and be realistic about your productivity and when your contributions will be accessible to the team.
4) Have a Partner Who Will Hold You Accountable.
If you’ve ever worked in an office, you’re aware that even the simple task of plopping down at your desk each morning entails a significant degree of accountability.
When you show up to work, your coworkers and bosses can see you. However, as a virtual employee, you don’t have the benefit of team members keeping an eye on you to keep you on track. You can deviate from the route you wish to take if you don’t ask someone to hold you accountable for your activities.
5) Make Use of a Variety of Communication Formats.
Email is undoubtedly the most convenient way for team members to communicate, but it’s also the most readily misunderstood. You shouldn’t completely abandon email, but you also shouldn’t rely on it as your primary form of communication. Try…
Chat rooms are excellent for real-time conversation and leaving group messages.
With video conferencing, you can get some face time with everyone on your team.
6) Keep Track of Your Projects.
There are normally a lot of changes and file updates when working together. Important stages can be skipped or overlooked if they are not properly managed.
Make a file organization system. Put it in the cloud if possible so that everyone may collaborate.
Consider employing a screen-sharing tool or granting remote access to team members’ PCs.
To explain new projects, make video tutorials.
7) Keep Track of Your Output.
It’s easy to feel like a one-person operation when you’re separated from the rest of the crew. You’ll most likely begin to feel overworked and undervalued. As a result, track your productivity to see how much you’re actually accomplishing. Keep track of the number of hours you put in each day. If your boss doesn’t conduct reviews on a regular basis, undertake your own quarterly study. Your assessment will undoubtedly be prejudiced, but it is crucial to examine your work critically. What are your thoughts on your contributions, your team, your workload, and your achievements?
8) Be a Part of the Family.
Create a sense of belonging among your coworkers. Check out their social media sites and ask personal questions when you get the chance to get to know the people you work with. If you don’t know someone well, it’s simple to throw them under the bus. Not only should you be virtually linked, but you should also be physically involved. Attend any non-work activities you can and stop by the office every now and then.
Your coworkers will reciprocate if you make an effort to stay connected to the team.