The rise of remote work has made it more important than ever for virtual coworkers to be able to effectively communicate and collaborate. Since there are minimal to zero face-to-face interactions, it’s challenging to connect. Be a better virtual coworker with these six simple tips.
Who doesn’t want to be better? Be a better friend, sleeper, parent, child, chef, singer, driver… we all have room for improvement.
A survey from McKinsey shows that employees who feel included and have good communication are five times more productive than those who don’t. Being a better virtual coworker will benefit your mental health, your productivity, and the company.
Remember to always be yourself, whether in person or behind a computer screen. Approach your coworkers with kindness and respect.
What Are the Main Differences Between Interacting Virtually and Face-To-Face With Coworkers?
When you are face-to-face with a coworker, you can see their body language, facial expressions, and hear their tone of voice. As you pass each other in the hallways, you may engage in a couple of minutes of casual, non-work-related banter. It’s easier to build deeper connections quickly.
Additionally, you can see when they’re busy, making it easier to know when a good time is to ask a question or have a quick chat about a project you’re both working on.
Interacting with coworkers virtually is exactly the opposite. You rely on emails and business messaging apps to converse. You may question their tone of voice when they finish a sentence with a period instead of an exclamation mark.
You don’t know when the other person is knee-deep in work and prefers not to be interrupted. Heck, you don’t even know when they’re at their computer.
7 Ways to Be a Better Virtual Coworker
1. Communicate clearly, concisely, and respectfully
One of the biggest challenges of working remotely is the lack of face-to-face communication. This can make it difficult to communicate your thoughts and ideas clearly. To avoid misunderstandings, be sure to communicate your thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely. If it’s a touchy subject, suggest a Slack huddle or Zoom video chat.
Use clear and concise language, and avoid jargon or slang that your coworkers may not be familiar with.
2. Be proactive
Proactivity demonstrates initiative, reduces delays, and ensures smooth workflow. In virtual environments, where communication may be asynchronous, taking the lead in clarifying tasks, offering assistance, and anticipating challenges promotes efficiency and team cohesion.
Proactive engagement minimizes misunderstandings, fosters a culture of accountability, and contributes to a more agile and productive remote work dynamic.
3. Keep others updated on your projects, especially if the project involves them
Don’t leave your virtual coworker hanging. If they are waiting for you to finish a project before they can contribute or start a project of their own, keep them in the loop. Not only is it polite, but it will also help you stay motivated and on track.
4. Show genuine interest
In virtual settings, where face-to-face interactions are limited, expressing genuine curiosity about your coworkers’ experiences and ideas strengthens remote relationships. This proactive approach contributes to a supportive team culture, mitigates feelings of isolation, and encourages a shared commitment to common goals.
Ultimately, investing in genuine connections with virtual coworkers not only improves teamwork but also enriches the overall work experience.
5. Be responsive
Another challenge of working remotely is the lack of immediate feedback. When you’re working in an office, you can easily get feedback from your coworkers by walking over to their desks; when you’re working remotely, it’s important to be responsive to your coworkers’ emails and messages.
Try to respond to messages within 24 hours, and if you’re going to be out of the office for an extended period of time, let your coworkers know.
6. Stay organized
It’s important to stay organized when you’re working remotely so that you can stay on top of your work and avoid missing deadlines. Use a project management tool to keep track of your tasks and create a system for filing and organizing your documents.
7. Be a team player
Even though you’re not working in the same office as your coworkers, it’s important to be a team player. Be a better virtual coworker by being willing to help out your coworkers and being open to feedback.
