Working remotely is one of the greatest perks post-2020. You can complete your daily tasks from the comfort of your home or a coffee shop on the other side of town. But despite these advantages, being remote is often harder than working in an office because you spend so much time alone with your laptop or phone screen. If you want to connect with your coworkers remotely and feel like part of a team, consider these tips.
Creativity at a Distance
If you want to be more creative in your work, you must start thinking like a creator. Creativity is a mindset, skill, and way of doing things. Since we are all remote, it will take support from your coworkers to make this successful. Consider establishing an online forum where everyone on your team can share ideas in real-time. Another option is to host virtual team-building exercises or fun games so that everyone has an opportunity to connect face-to-face on occasion.
Overcommunicate
When working remotely, it’s important to overcommunicate with your coworkers. This can be done through a chat tool like Slack or Microsoft Teams, where you can have all your conversations in one place.
When working on a project with someone else and need their input or help, use video calls instead of trying to explain things via text or email. Video calls give both parties the ability to see each other as well as read facial expressions and body language when communicating.
Help Where You Can
When you’re working remotely, it can be hard to feel like you can make a difference. The good news is that even if a coworker isn’t physically there, there are still ways to provide input. For example, there are multiple benefits to peer coaching. You could also create a welcome email for new hires, join a social planning committee, or start a discord channel and share it with your team. Whatever your interests and skills are, find a way to incorporate them into your daily interactions.
Be Open About Your Challenges
One of the best ways to connect with your coworkers remotely is to be honest about the challenges you face. When you’re working at home, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone. If something is bothering you, don’t keep quiet about it—you’ll only start resenting your work if you do. As long as your critiques or concerns are not rude, share them with others who can help, like a mentor or manager.
You should also be open to other people’s ideas and suggestions. Remote workers will only succeed if they have support from their managers and peers.
You’ve Got This
Working remotely can be tough, but these tips will help you connect with your coworkers. The most important thing is to be open-minded and willing to try new things—this will help you find what works best for you and your team members. Remember, no matter how challenging working remotely might seem at first glance, don’t give up! With time and effort, you can create strong connections with colleagues across any distance.
