With more and more people looking to work remotely or at least from the comfort of their home, we are realizing the things that change when we are not inside an office. The routine changes, obviously, but beyond that... so does your work rhythm and the dynamics you've been using for years at your good old Godin desk.
Here are some of the lessons we have learned, by hook or by crook, within our organization that have helped us to improve productivity.
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There is no such thing as over-communication
Being the leader of a team or a project you are probably wondering how will I find out the status? How will I know that everyone is working smoothly? Because usually these types of questions are communicated over morning coffee or during a brief visit to your workspace.
By having a culture of constant communication about your workload and progress, how you feel about your team and even your work schedule, you are creating a positive impact.
Some teams tend to have a short meeting every day with all team members where they talk about the tasks they are performing and if there are any obstacles for them to accomplish them in a timely manner. This way the team will continue to work as a team and you won't have any loose ends within your organization.
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You are not alone
Although for some people being alone inspires them to be more productive because it allows them to enter a deeper level of concentration and find their own pace where they are most comfortable working. As the days go by, you will most likely start to feel lonely, either on a personal or work level, but for the moment we will focus on the work level.
Remember that your colleagues are also working and they should also be online at the same time as you, so don't worry about writing to them and letting them know if you need anything from them, I'm sure they will soon respond to your needs so you can continue with your activities.
Now, addressing the personal issue, we know that your home might be the first mandatory step to land your next desk; however, you should experiment with working in a coffee shop where you feel comfortable, some nearby co-working and even throw yourself somewhere touristy - a beach or downtown - there are no written rules so try everything before settling down.
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Use time wisely
Working remotely also implies, in most cases, not having to fulfill "hours - buttocks" as it is popularly known to have to sit on a fixed schedule. Normally these changes also come with a scheme of results and not schedules, so you have to start planning well how you will organize your day.
For example, if you are a morning person and can do your work independently, you are probably interested in completing your duties even before the rest of the team wakes up. This small change frees up your whole day for new activities where you can keep an eye on what's going on with your team.
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Encourage you to give and receive feedback
Not spending time with your team physically disables those small conversations where they talk, almost unconsciously, about what they can improve or where there are opportunities for improvement in their areas. The level of feedback expected depends a lot on the type of organization, its line of business and the activities you personally are performing, so we invite you to experiment and find a balance that best collaborates with the goals of your organization.
Some recommendations that we have found useful:
- Anonymous surveys through a link (Google - SurveyMonkey)
- A call (phone or video) with your immediate leader on a weekly or monthly basis.
- A (public) forum where everyone can contribute their comments in due course.
Changes often come with uncertainty and even cause other drastic changes in our personal lives, give yourself some time to reflect if remote work is really for you and if you want to take this modality.
