Tips for Staying Connected in a Remote Environment

Just because we’re only able to work from home these days, it doesn’t mean you can’t stay connected with your colleagues, client base and industry. Below are some tips—compiled from Inc., Indeed and The Muse—to keep your productivity and positivity going strong.

• Cut yourself some slack. It’s okay to feel stressed, frustrated, anxious, or unmotivated. Try to go easy on yourself and remember everyone is adapting too.
• Take scheduled breaks.Try setting an alarm to get up and stretch every hour or so, drink water, take a walk, simply breathe and more.
• Make sure to clarify expectations for your team. Connect with key colleagues around communication, work priorities, and success metrics.
• Use video, even if it’s uncomfortable for you.To avoid feeling isolated, use video technology to connect with your team and colleagues in a more intentional, human way.
• Schedule regular team meetings. Whether your team is partially or fully remote, it’s essential you set up regular group meetings and live virtual events to foster a sense of unity and help employees bond.
• Be transparent. Employees often look to leaders as an example of how to behave in work settings, and if you’re open and honest, they’re more likely to do the same. Same thing with client communications!
• Have a visibility buddy. One of the major dilemmas around remote work is the lack of visibility around milestones and accomplishments, which is particularly problematic for women and minorities (as studies show that their failures are remembered longer and accomplishments forgotten faster). To combat this, deliberately pair up team members to be visibility buddies who shout out each other’s’ accomplishments.

Courtesy of SYTA