We can safely say remote working is an unusual dynamic and environment for people who are used to working co-dependently with colleagues and peers. No doubt it has stunted social interaction with higher levels of authority to build stronger relationships. Many elements to this can include difficulty reaching out and a lack of one-to-one personal guidance. Here are some ways that you can stay connected to your manager, without feeling completely distant.
- Never fear asking questions
Just like you would have dealt with a query in the office, or you wanted to get some higher level advice, continue to email your peers and authority figures/mentors to inform them that you are still working hard and avidly seeking to learn more within the workplace — even if it is remote from home. This helps you reach a balance of respect between both you and your boss; therefore they are able to see that you are still just as enthusiastic about your work.
2. Be aware of your manager’s availability and preferred way of communication
There is no harm in asking your boss if they prefer to be contacted via mobile or email. If you are aware of the preferences from the get go, then you are able to contact them in a more efficient way without bombarding them with a million messages that they may never see.
You must also remember that your authority figure has demands and queries of their own, and will not be able to take on all of your problems at once. Therefore, if you are having trouble, make sure you ask for help only when it’s a necessary and important matter.
3. Do more than is expected of you
To prove your commitment to your job, you could do some extra work to show that, regardless of your environment, you want to excel in your area of work. This is yet another choice you can make which will be highly appreciated by your manager. If you can WFH and achieve more than is expected of you, you are setting yourself up for success in the long run.
4. Personal communication is okay and acceptable
Sometimes managers want to feel like part of the team just like you do with fellow colleagues. Therefore, asking them how their day has been or what they got up to at the weekend will not only build a bond on a more personal level, but will also help you gain a more friendly relationship. This allows both you and your boss to communicate with each other more openly about everything, especially with work related issues.
Written by Shannon Donovan
Shannon is a student particularly interested in the art of the English Language and how words that are expressed can affect society’s actions in a very impactful way. She is very passionate about the idea of positivity being fulfilled in our mental health and wellbeing and wants to continue to express how we can help combat the negative aspects that our world may sometimes bring.
