Remote Working? Communication is Key

I've seen quite a few posts lately about working from home. Great advice - for the most part - to those experiencing it for the first time. Having worked from home since my now-college-freshman son was born (Yikes!!) AND helped create a telecommuting program at previous employer (in the 90's), there is one skill that trumps all else: Communication.

Communication, as it pertains to working from home, can come in many forms. Obviously, there is the spoken form, but there is also the written. In today's age, we have so many tools at our disposal to make for effective communication.

• Spoken: phone, Skype, Zoom, FB/IG video, other video platforms and more. 
• Written: email, text, postal mail, Slack, G-chat, social media and more. 

Whatever ways you communicated in an office, you can still continue while at home. Communicate with vendors, business partners, sales pitches, departments, employers, employees, co-workers via the wide variety of technology options available. 

The important thing is that you communicate. Don't leave others in the dark. 

• Employers: communicate your expectations to employees (preferably via video or phone). There is less chance for ambiguity and interpretation by the employee. They need to know they can ask questions that will be answered.
• Employees: communicate what your focus is each day to your boss. If your boss tells you otherwise, do so. If you have a reporting system, follow that. If you have questions, ask. Don't give your boss a reason to doubt that you are working.
• Owners/Sales: communicate with your clients, vendors, partners, employees, co-workers. Even if it's the initial meeting (not in person), you should know them well enough to communicate at least some expectations for meetings, production, supply, offerings and the like. Give them a reason to trust you no matter what.

I've been told I "over-communicate". I probably do. But, my employers, employees, clients or whomever will always know exactly things stand in terms of my work. In other words, the exact same work ethic I would bring in an office or business, I bring to working remotely.

My biggest frustration - mostly as an employee - in working from home for both large and small companies has been the lack of communication. When I don't know where we are at or what we're supposed to be working on or if our focus has shifted, the frustration level is high.

But, the only thing I can truly control in life is me. I control how well I work wherever I am located. And, I control how well I communicate.

From one remote worker/co-founder/business owner to another, good luck with your remote work in whatever form it may be.

Feel like communicating? Drop me a line in the comments. I'd love to hear of other remote-working communication resources you've used successfully.