The skills that make us successful in our jobs have changed due to continued remote work. And remote working – in some form — is not going anyway any time soon. A KPMG survey found that 80% of U.S. workers would turn down a job opportunity if it did not include flexible working option. So how can we be successful and thrive?
Here are some skills you need to be a good remote worker:
- Teamwork – Most workers continue to be part of a larger team, so even though you are remote, you are not working separately. Finding a balance between video meetings, phone calls, and emailing is important so overwhelm doesn’t set in. Shared documents and project management software are a good way to let teams share updates and documentation.
- Clear communication – Working remotely means that almost all the communication between a team is through email or messaging apps. Being able to communicate clearly and succinctly will go a long way in getting your ideas across. Good communication skills are a foundation for team success.
- Time management – Self-motivation and time management often go together. It’s easy to get sidetracked working remotely. Many productivity coaches suggest carving out a period for intense work followed by a break. If you’re used to working in an office, you would have been able to chat with co-workers during a break. Now, plan you breaks in advance so you have something to look forward to.
- Focus – Distractions are numerous working from home. From outside noises of a garbage truck, construction, or lawn mowers to indoor sounds of children, pets, or other adults, the list of distractions is endless. Learning how to remain focused is a skill to develop. Setting up a quiet space, devoid of clutter, and some good noise cancelling headphones will go a long way to maintain your focus.
- Adapt – Challenges will always come up and how you deal with them will affect the success of your team. Maybe a big storm will knock a colleague’s internet out right before a big project is due. Flexibility and creative problem solving will lead to a solution. If you’re suddenly assigned to a new team, you will need to adapt to their way of working.
- Trustworthy – Research has found that employees who are trusted are better at teamwork and more productive. When working in a team, the most important aspect is to set clear goals and objectives, be transparent, and communicate often. Feedback during the process is very important.
The KMPG survey also found that employees believed that working remotely increased their focus and productivity. As we continue to hone our skills of teamwork, communication, time management, focus, adaptation, and trustworthiness, the future will be filled with much success for employees, their teams, and ultimately our companies.
The skills that make us successful in our jobs have changed due to continued remote work. And remote working – in some form — is not going anyway any time soon. A KPMG survey found that 80% of U.S. workers would turn down a job opportunity if it did not include flexible working option. So how can we be successful and thrive?
Here are some skills you need to be a good remote worker:
- Teamwork – Most workers continue to be part of a larger team, so even though you are remote, you are not working separately. Finding a balance between video meetings, phone calls, and emailing is important so overwhelm doesn’t set in. Shared documents and project management software are a good way to let teams share updates and documentation.
- Clear communication – Working remotely means that almost all the communication between a team is through email or messaging apps. Being able to communicate clearly and succinctly will go a long way in getting your ideas across. Good communication skills are a foundation for team success.
- Time management – Self-motivation and time management often go together. It’s easy to get sidetracked working remotely. Many productivity coaches suggest carving out a period for intense work followed by a break. If you’re used to working in an office, you would have been able to chat with co-workers during a break. Now, plan you breaks in advance so you have something to look forward to.
- Focus – Distractions are numerous working from home. From outside noises of a garbage truck, construction, or lawn mowers to indoor sounds of children, pets, or other adults, the list of distractions is endless. Learning how to remain focused is a skill to develop. Setting up a quiet space, devoid of clutter, and some good noise cancelling headphones will go a long way to maintain your focus.
- Adapt – Challenges will always come up and how you deal with them will affect the success of your team. Maybe a big storm will knock a colleague’s internet out right before a big project is due. Flexibility and creative problem solving will lead to a solution. If you’re suddenly assigned to a new team, you will need to adapt to their way of working.
- Trustworthy – Research has found that employees who are trusted are better at teamwork and more productive. When working in a team, the most important aspect is to set clear goals and objectives, be transparent, and communicate often. Feedback during the process is very important.
The KMPG survey also found that employees believed that working remotely increased their focus and productivity. As we continue to hone our skills of teamwork, communication, time management, focus, adaptation, and trustworthiness, the future will be filled with much success for employees, their teams, and ultimately our companies.
Written by Cathy Heyne, GMS-T, President
