Work-from-home options have become increasingly popular in recent years. However, this trend comes with certain drawbacks. In particular, communication has become a common stumbling block. Given these challenges, how can you build effective connections in a remote setting?
The spread of remote work has led to significant communication issues. One survey found that 17% work-at-home employees identified issues with collaboration and communication as the biggest struggle they faced.
That was just the start of the problems. The same data set showed that more than a fifth of respondents (21%) had difficulty dealing with different time zones, a fact that highlights another problem making collaboration more complex. At the same time, almost a quarter of survey participants (24%) pointed to loneliness as a prime issue.
Taken together, these states reveal how work-at-home positions create communication issues on multiple fronts. However, there are measures you can take. You can avoid some of these pitfalls by developing an effective communication strategy. Here are some steps to consider:
Communicating More Effectively in Remote Environments
Use Multiple Ways to Connect
The modern economy offers many choices when it comes to communication. Text, email, internal messenger, and tools like Slack all offer potential points of contact. Be versatile and become a master of as many forms as possible.
Don’t Be Shy
You need to be proactive in a remote setting. Reach out to your team members early in the process. That way, you can begin building ties as early as possible. Also, feel free to ask for help and support. By becoming an active collaborator, you’ll build connections and nurture a meaningful rapport.
Target Your Communication
Optimizing your communication means developing a strategy that fits any type of collaboration. That involves creating a flexible structure that can accommodate various situations. This way, you can tailor your approach to any circumstances. Here are a few things to consider:
Understand How Individuals Want to Communicate: Change your tactics for each individual coworker. Learn everyone’s preferences and choose a method of communication that suits them best.
Craft Your Message: Think about what you want to say each time you attempt communication. Put effort into crafting a message. That way, you can avoid miscommunications and unnecessary complications.
Be Mindful of Different Schedules: Modern collaboration spans the globe. You might have coworkers in different time zones or contacts operating on different schedules. Be aware of these situations as you think about communication.
Get to Know People
Communication shouldn’t always take a “strictly business” approach. Even if your goal is focused on professional achievement, you need to build trust and a rapport with those around you. That means learning about them as people.
Reach out to your coworkers on a more social basis. As part of this, learn about their lives outside the office. Using this strategy will make you better teammates. At the same time, building these bonds can potentially lead to a real friendship as well.
Assume Positive Intent
Tone often gets lost in written communication. Whether in an email or through text, messages can often come off as abrupt. Meanwhile, sarcasm and jokes can fall flat, sometimes leading to misunderstandings and potentially sparking bad feelings.
Avoid this by maintaining a positive attitude. Assume your coworkers have the best intentions. This will let you push discussions forward in a constructive way, rather than getting sidetracked by negative emotions.
Working in a remote environment comes with challenges. However, you receive many benefits as well. A top recruiter, like Hiregy, can find the perfect position for you.
Want to Learn More about Remote or Hybrid Opportunities?
Contact Hiregy today to find the right hybrid job in Jacksonville, Orlando or Tampa, Florida.
