Etiquette Tip #3: Don’t Disappear
Once you sit in your home office chair and open up your email to begin your day, you may notice something unusual. You listen, but only hear the sounds of your home. There are no longer any murmurs from down the hall, phones randomly ringing, or knocks on your cubicle. You are alone–without distractions, but also without the benefit of the social interactions with coworkers that can keep you engaged and part of your company’s culture.
One consequence of this is that making the work you’ve done visible and receiving proper recognition for it can sometimes be tricky. To overcome this issue, sit down with your supervisors to develop deliverables and metrics that align with your responsibilities so that it’s clear when goals are being met–and exceeded.
Maintaining close-knit social relationships with coworkers is also a difficult task for remote workers. Even more difficult is establishing new relationships among coworkers you are working with for the first time. Opening up to your colleagues from afar may feel uncomfortable, but it can be done easily and authentically. Carve out time during the workday to ask someone you work with how their day is going. If you are in the same physical vicinity, invite them to meet you for lunch or a cafe-based collaboration session. You’ll be surprised at just how much of a social connection can be forged from these simple acts.
During the workday, let your coworkers know when you need help and make yourself available to assist them as needed. This makes your colleagues instant accountability partners, who can alert you when you are not staying on track or are in danger of missing important deadlines. It also helps make your contributions more apparent, both to managers and members of your team.
If you find yourself far removed from your team, a video call can help you connect. The lightweight, easy-to-use video conferencing solutions of today have app-based communication options so that you can make a call from your phone or tablet as well as your computer. You might even take a virtual lunch with a colleague using video chat. These options will help you stay in touch socially with your coworkers, ultimately enhancing productivity on both ends of the line.
