Communicating Successfully With Remote Teams

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Tekton was one of the many companies worldwide that made a complete transition to remote working. In a matter of weeks, all employees had to adapt to the new virtual reality of business operations. In-person conferences were replaced by virtual meetings held from the comfort of one's workspace, while weekly team updates were replaced by emails.

As things began to return to normal, some businesses resumed in-person operations, while many more entirely adopted remote working as their main means of work. Because we are a worldwide firm, it made sense for us to continue our journey as a fully remote business. We can say with certainty that, after many trials and errors, we have come close to achieving successful collaboration among teams. 

Here are a few ideas for ensuring coworkers coexist in a virtual reality setting and preserve a positive relationship.

Humanity first and foremost:

Regardless of the level of technology at a workspace, it is important to remember that there are real-life humans behind each username, email, and avatar. As professionals who work remotely, we can't lose the human side of team contact. This means constantly speaking clearly, with intent and thought, leaving little room for misinterpretation or, even if accidentally, rubbing someone the wrong way. And remember, even if your coworker lives hundreds of miles away, showing interest, understanding, and care for their well-being helps build a strong and united team, which makes for a healthy working environment.

Stay in Touch:

It is easy to get lost in your own world while working from home. Some people thrive in solitary environments, while others don’t. It is challenging to find a balance between working alone and continually communicating with teammates. However, we've discovered that weekly updates via video conference meetings go a long way toward keeping team members connected and up to speed on their tasks. It also promotes friendly engagement and interactions, which keep employees motivated and encouraged to continue their best efforts.

Set Clear Boundaries:

All remote workers are familiar with receiving a work-related email or text message at 11 p.m. on a Wednesday. This immediately prompts discomfort and it gets worse when a ‘reply back’ is expected. The best way to handle things and make sure no one steps on anyone else's toes is to talk openly about what time you've scheduled to discuss work-related issues. And, just as overcommunicating can be exhausting, it is also important to ensure that you do not under-communicate anything that may be cause for concern. This includes any doubts or questions about a specific project being worked on, along with a disagreement of interest with another coworker. A solution can always be reached when there is open and honest dialogue!

The process of shifting every detail to remote work may not always be flawless. However, it is rapidly becoming the norm for businesses around the world. The most effective strategies for managing remote work are those that are proactive and prioritize employee efficiency, based on our findings. As the world becomes more and more technological, it makes sense to remember that our sense of empathy is what makes us human, as well as what supports and propels a business forward to best meet employee and thus, client needs.

Feel free to contact us if you think Tekton could be a suitable fit for your company's digital roadmap moving forward.