Communication Tips for Remote Work

Boon Coach, Cator Sparks

In concept, the idea of working remotely sounds amazing. Who doesn’t want to work from their sofa in their pajamas? But as this is the new normal for many of us, we can often feel isolated and disconnected. One email or Slack from a co-worker can have us spinning out because we read it assuming the tone was negative. Or we don’t quite know how to have that deeper connection we did when we were in person and having drinks after work. And of course we can find it very hard to focus when we don’t have other employees around us to keep us motivated. YouTube cat videos are hugely enticing. 

In order to have a productive and happy remote work environment, a good foundation has to be built for everyone to succeed.

Here are a few tips to move yourself in the right direction:

Schedule daily morning meetings
Connecting with your team is vital for remote work. Starting the day off with a relaxed ‘morning coffee connection’ is a great way to see what everyone is up to, let the team know of any company news, and hear any questions your team needs addressed before starting their day. Sure, some teams are dotted across the country, so in that case, maybe make it an afternoon check in so it’s a time when everyone will be online at the same time. 

Check in with team members
Checking in with individual co-workers or employees is a great way to let them know they are valued and you care about them. Ideally this can be a video call so you can connect deeper and see each others body language. 

Watch your tone
Per the intro, an email or Slack message can sometimes be taken as course, when it really was just a quick response. Be sure to include a greeting/closure (Good Morning! Thank you!), and if your office etiquette allows, an emoji can go a long way. 😉

Set clear working hours
It’s ok if everyone isn’t working 9-5, but be sure to let people know what your hours will be so they aren’t waiting hours for a response. Maybe you need to work early morning to early afternoon to allow time to pick up your children from school- that’s cool! Just give a heads up. 

Keep Office Culture Alive!
We still need to connect as humans even though we aren’t gathering around the water cooler, so make sure to schedule company coffee breaks, lunches, or cocktails to simply connect with each other in a more personal way. Ideally, the company can have an annual in person meeting for everyone to have proper face time (over FaceTime) and enjoy a deeper connection, which as we know, can increase employee retention and happiness!

Are any of your employees having a hard time working remote? Boon coaches are here to deep dive with them to find that balance, and connection that may be lacking.