November 26, 2023
After over three years working in fully-remote teams, I have learnt a thing or two about things that work when collaborating purely remotely. Every Slack ping is like a mission, someone out there trying to get stuff done. And often you will find yourself on five parallel missions, trying to figure out which one is the most important. But let's be honest — the constant "pinging" can get overwhelming if you don't have strategies to deal with this kind of work environment. If you want to flip the script and turn your remote work environment into a win for you and your team, stick around. I summarised seven insights from my own experience that'll help you to appreciate working together with your remote team.
Like I mentioned before, if you're capable, remote work will ask more of you than what you're actually possible to achieve. At the end of the day, you're a human, not a robot, but a core lesson in remote work that will help you keep going is to think about delivering value consistently. What I mean with that?
In essence you want to be the reliable teammate who contributes consistently, not the one who fizzles out from overcommitment. It's about balancing commitment, knowing when to confidently say, "Yes, I've got this," and when to reassess the workload. Making promises until the end of the day isn't just about meeting deadlines; it's a commitment-building practice that instills confidence and trust within your team. Learn to gauge and communicate your capacity realistically.
Flakiness has no place in the remote realm. You could be the person who always says yes, gaining points at that moment, but over the long term people will stop trusting in your words, if you don't deliver on your promises. Inconsistency becomes quicksand, eating away at the foundation of the trust in your team. Picture yourself as the teammate who not only owns their tickets in the system but takes genuine ownership. Be the person who says, "This is mine; I've got it," and consistently follows through. Trust is not a one-time event; it's a cumulative result of small victories, successful sprints, and hitting project milestones.
I believe one of the biggest reasons why people choose to work fully-remote jobs is the flexibility it brings to their lives. Embracing flexibility in a remote team goes beyond merely working in pajamas.
Remote work flexibility allows you to reschedule a meeting because your kid needs a pick-up or attend an mid-day appointment and make up for it in the evening. Picture this: you decide to stay with your family for a week, working from a different city without missing anything, because you can take your office wherever you go. That's the kind of flexibility a fully-remote job gives – the freedom to blend your personal and professional life seamlessly.
So what do you I mean with embracing flexibility? It means understanding the power and privilege that comes with having a remote job. It's a dance with time zones, an understanding of diverse cultures, and a recognition that each team member has a unique work style. Remote work allows you to reshape your day without compromising on delivering value. Embracing flexibility means appreciating the advantages, being trustworthy, and understanding the varied paths each team member takes to success. If you're working remotely, you will need to learn that not everything works in the strict, straightforward way many people are used to from office jobs.
When you're not physically sharing an office space, acknowledging team accomplishments becomes even more crucial. It's about recognizing the collective wins, big and small, that contribute to the overall success of the team.
Celebrating success in a remote environment involves more than just finishing a feature or a sprint. It's about constant communication and making sure everyone is aware of what the team is doing and achieving. Whether it's meeting project milestones, exceeding client expectations, or simply overcoming a challenging task, these successes deserve to be shared. Remote teams flourish when there's a culture of celebrating achievements, fostering a positive atmosphere that motivates everyone to keep pushing forward.
Share updates through chat platforms, emails, or during virtual meetings. Be proactive in recognizing individual efforts and the collective impact on the team's goals. By weaving success stories into the fabric of your remote work culture, you not only boost morale but also create a shared sense of accomplishment that propels the team toward even greater achievements. It also makes everyone feel that what they're spending their weekly hours one is actually making a difference.
Imagine this: instead of diving straight into work-related discussions, kickstart your team meetings with an ice-breaker. Encourage team members to share a snippet of their day, be it a pet cameo, a joke or a funny anecdote. These moments of casual connection go a long way in creating a sense of belonging, curbing the isolation that often haunts remote work. Without the physical proximity of an office, it's easy for individuals to experience feelings of isolation.
So how can you promote more inclusion and make your team members feel less isolated? First and foremost, acknowledge the human element in each virtual interaction. Instead of keeping discussions strictly professional, sprinkle in a bit of personal touch. Share stories, celebrate milestones, and embrace the diversity that each team member brings. Recognize that behind every screen is a unique individual with a life outside of work.
Consider initiating regular virtual team-building activities that transcend the boundaries of work tasks. Whether it's a virtual game session, a shared Spotify playlist, or a monthly themed discussion, these activities foster a sense of camaraderie.
Inclusivity thrives when team members feel seen, heard, and valued beyond their professional contributions.
Sooner or later it happens to everyone: you're juggling multiple tasks, and the deadlines are looming like storm clouds. The pressure is on, and it seems like there's no way out. Here's a golden rule: if you can't accomplish something on time, don't let the weight of it drag you down. Speaking up when something is off is not a sign of weakness; it's a testament to your commitment to delivering quality work. Your team and leaders are not mind readers, and a timely heads-up can make all the difference.
If you find yourself drowning in unrealistic deadlines, don't silently suffer. Raise a flag, and ask for help. In the world of remote work, effective communication becomes the lifeline that keeps projects afloat. Whether it's cutting project scope, pushing out the launch deadline, or adding more engineers to the project. The beauty of speaking up is not just in identifying problems but in finding collaborative solutions.
When working remotely, achieving a healthy work-life balance can be a real challenge. The lines between the professional and the personal often blur, making it crucial to set clear boundaries. Imagine your home transforming into both your office and safe haven – the need for separation becomes even more vital. This is where setting boundaries comes into play, ensuring that work doesn't spill over into your every waking hour.
Take breaks to recharge, indulge in activities you enjoy. Whether it's going for a walk during lunch, cooking a delicious meal, picking up a paintbrush, meeting friends, diving into a good book, or going for a workout – these breaks are not distractions; they are essential pit stops to avoid burnout. Remember, just as your work deserves your dedication, so does your well-being.
So, how do you strike that delicate balance between productivity and personal time? How can you ensure your remote work setup doesn't become a 24/7 job? It boils down to conscious choices and setting realistic expectations. When your working hours end, don't continue to chat to people on Slack on your phone from the couch after-hours. When you feel yourself getting burnt out, take it a bit slower, take some days off or communicate to your team that you need to take it a bit slower. When you feel yourself constantly thinking about work, try to recognise why it's so hard for you to seperate free and work time and try to make a change.
After over three years of remote work, I've faced the constant "pinging" and times of stress when facing important deadlines. If you want your remote team to succeed, stick around: be consistent, embrace flexibility, celebrate successes, promote inclusivity, speak up when things are off, and prioritize work-life balance. Working in remote teams is an unique experience, but it doesn't have to be a dreary burnout marathon. Choose to inject some fun, set boundaries and celebrate those wins with your team!