You are thinking about working remotely.
Why? It’s in the news daily. Whether it’s the flu or current unknown virus, it impacts your daily life.
Are you ready to work and lead remotely?
What’s the first thing you think about when considering remote work?
The Tangibles?
Most people think about technology. Do I have a reliable internet connection? Do I have a computer or device that will let me do my work from anywhere? Do I have secure access to my data, my work?
Next you think about location. Finding a quiet place to work while your kids are out of school is another challenge. Setting yourself up at the kitchen table or on the sofa in front of the big screen TV aren’t the best options.
These and other tangibles are important, but they are not what stand in your way of being a productive remote leader or worker.
What you don’t know about remote work:
The Intangibles?
What is it most leaders and workers underestimate when going remote?
Two domains: processes and mindset.
Processes
Processes include your everyday business activities. Assuming you can take your existing way of working and transfer it from co-located team to a disbursed team a mistake.
It’s easier to adapt those written processes to remote work, but what about the unwritten way business gets done in your organization? The culture? How easy is it to transfer that to a disbursed organization?
-The spontaneous conversation in the coffee room that helps you solve a problem you’ve been working on or inspires an innovative idea;
– Seeing a co-worker walk past your office suddenly reminds you of a project they did and how you need to include their perspective in this new project;
– Walking that proposal from office to office to expedite it in record time;
These are all examples of the unwritten way your organization does business that will not translate to remote work.
Mindset
Your and your team’s mindset is of even more concern when going remote. No longer can you walk by someone’s office and notice the concerned look on their face. Nor can you celebrate a win by exchanging a spontaneously high five.
More than technology and processes, we underestimate how working remotely impacts our ability to focus, manage stress, self-motivate, and stay engaged.
The initial transition to remote work is stressful for many reasons. First is the reason for going remote unexpectedly. Second is the stress of change itself. Third is the noticeable absence of support and energy from daily human interaction.
Do not underestimate the impact of remote work on your mindset or your team’s.
People, processes, technology are all three critical domains of work. As you consider remote work, either as an individual or an organization, make sure you look at all domains thoroughly.
How? Invite the right people to the discussion as you design your remote work.
How do I know? I’ve transitioned and experienced the road blocks. I’ve been working remotely for more than a decade and have consulted others on the transition from co-location to anywhere working. I can help you transition more smoothly.
If you want to talk more about going remote, schedule a call with me.
