Methods to Maintain Visibility from a Distance
Working from home has become the new norm for many, offering convenience but potentially posing challenges when it comes to career progression. Reduced visibility can be a concern, as it may impact opportunities for advancement. However, there are strategies to maintain visibility and avoid career setbacks.
The Importance of Trust and Proactivity
Trust, both in one's own performance and value, is crucial. Ragnhild Struss, a career coach, underscores the significance of personal interactions for building trust, a sense of belonging, and empathy. Trust, she suggests, is the strongest form of visibility, especially when working remotely. Proactivity is key, too. Being proactive includes communicating what one is working on, achievements, and areas needing support.
Setting Clear Goals and Schedules
Setting specific work times and goals is essential to stay on track and demonstrate productivity clearly. This helps in maintaining visibility and avoiding career setbacks.
Regular Communication and Check-ins
Scheduling regular meetings and check-ins with managers and colleagues is another important practice. These meetings provide opportunities to update and receive feedback frequently, fostering a sense of connection and collaboration.
Transparent Sharing of Progress and Achievements
Using transparent workflows and data-sharing tools allows managers to see progress without micromanagement. Publicly recognising achievements in team meetings or digital platforms ensures contributions are noticed despite physical distance.
Consistent Availability and Responsiveness
Maintaining consistent availability and responsiveness, as defined in remote work policies, helps to foster trust and collaboration. Leveraging communication and collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and task management software can help in staying integrated with the team.
Social Connection Efforts
Taking initiative in social connection efforts, such as participating in virtual team-building activities or sharing updates informally, is crucial in sustaining workplace relationships. These efforts help counteract the "visibility gap" in remote work.
When discussing feelings of being sidelined with a manager, it's important to provide specific examples and ask for ways to better utilise skills. Keeping availability updated in collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack is also essential.
By following these practices, employees can maintain visibility while working from home, ensuring they remain seen and valued contributors without slipping into micromanagement.
- Ragnhild Struss, a career coach, emphasizes that trust, both in one's own performance and value, is crucial for maintaining visibility while working remotely, as it is the strongest form of visibility.
- Proactively sharing what one is working on, achievements, and areas needing support is key to building trust and demonstrating productivity in a home-and-garden lifestyle work environment.
