4 Ways to Make a Difference on a Remote Team

When your work team is geographically separated, it can be easy to feel like you’re in your own world that only exists within your home office. Clocking in day in and day out to accomplish your tasks can become routine and possibly even lonely. It can be easy to forget your place in the grand scheme of your company.

Below we’re going over four ways you can make a difference in your company when you’re on a remote team. These ideas will hopefully help you feel more involved and connected to your team and your company as a whole.

Here are four ways to make a difference when you work on a remote team:

1. Care about your coworkers’ personal lives.

Caring about your coworkers’ personal lives is a great way to make a difference individually in your company. Without being able to run into your coworkers in the hallway, the break room, or the elevator for a quick chat, you have to be proactive as a remote worker to check in.

If you only ever use your company’s communication tools (email, instant message, etc.) to simply convey work-related messages, you’re missing out on getting to know your coworkers. Share anything fun you’ve got planned or pictures of your pets, and ask your coworkers what their weekend plans are. You’ll get to know more about them and feel more connected to your teammates as a result.

2. Meet in person, if possible.

Meeting in person can be a huge help in fighting any isolation or loneliness that sometimes affects remote workers. If you find it more difficult to interact with your team members remotely, in-person meetings or get-togethers can be a great way to let your personality shine. Conversation may flow easier, and you may be reminded why you’re passionate about your role and company.

3. Celebrate as a team.

Celebrating together as a remote team can aid in team cohesion and make team members feel important. Consider celebrating birthdays, work anniversaries, holidays, or team accomplishments together. It could be a special video chat meeting, something added on to the beginning of a regular meeting, or even just a group instant message. Wishing your colleagues happy birthday or congratulating them on a work promotion is an easy way to make a difference when you work on a remote team.

4. Cross team barriers.

When you work remotely, it can be easy to only interact with your immediate team members. Try getting to know other teams, whether on a personal level or a work-related level. Perhaps you have a skill that could be used on another team. Inquiring if they could use your help for a project or task can definitely help you make a difference in your company and feel like you’re needed.

On a personal level, use some of the tactics already discussed, such as reaching out to other teams to congratulate them on a team project, wishing someone happy birthday, or even asking someone for their opinion or help with something to facilitate camaraderie.

Making a difference when you work on a remote team requires proactiveness on your part. Making an effort to talk with people and perform your work with excellence will go a long way in combating loneliness and making you a coveted employee.

Photo Credit: bigstockphoto.com

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