5 Skills employees should develop during an era of remote work

April 22nd, 2021
5 Skills employees should develop during an era of remote work

Most businesses now implement a remote work strategy that will allow them to remain operational despite the social restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As organizations change the way they do business and deliver value to customers, employees must develop these five critical skills to continue thriving in a remote work environment.

1. Written communication

There is heavy reliance on the written word in the era of remote work. Remote teams may conduct virtual meetings, but most communication is still done via writing rather than speaking. If you’re a remote worker, your day may usually consist of sending messages via email, Slack, or other messaging applications. Sometimes, you will also need to send messages using the chat function during a video call.

Because everyone is communicating from afar, it's imperative that you possess strong written communication skills to get your message across the distance. These skills will also allow you to interact with your colleagues and express your ideas with ease while minimizing misunderstanding and conflict. As a remote worker, you must be able to use the right tone, level of formality, and medium depending on who you’re communicating with and the purpose of the communication. You must also be able to proofread any written communication to ensure that it contains no spelling, grammar, or punctuation mistakes.

2. Collaborative problem-solving

Regardless of your line of business, your team will always need to work collaboratively to surmount business challenges. Your staff have different skill sets, and this diversity will help you solve problems, so it’s critical that everyone is able to work together despite working from different places.

Working remotely is not synonymous with working alone. Remote workers must be team players who can brainstorm and collaborate to come up with practical, efficient, and effective methods of making key business decisions.

3. Digital literacy

Remote work setups rely heavily on digital communication, so being able to evaluate, analyze, and generate information in digital formats is a must for any remote worker. Becoming an expert in a wide range of digital tools, apps, and platforms also allows you to be more efficient and productive. And in an era where everyone is working multi-locationally, the mastery of multiple channels of communication is critical to staying connected with colleagues and clients.

4. Time management

Remote workers must be able to manage their own time, even without their bosses or co-workers reminding them to be productive. They must be able to prioritize tasks accordingly and make the most of their working hours to avoid burnout. Time management is an invaluable skill to have, as it allows you to stay on top of your tasks and complete your assignments within deadlines.

If you’re struggling with time management, try using apps that boost productivity and track time. Also, only work on one task at a time to ensure that your work gets your utmost attention. And because some tasks require more brainpower than others, find out the time in the day when your energy is highest, and schedule your toughest tasks during those hours. There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to time management, so experiment with different methods to see what works best for you.

5. Adaptability

Telecommuting is a relatively novel concept. Hence, it’s a must that remote workers are flexible to new ways of thinking and doing in order for this new configuration to be successful. They must be able to tackle unexpected challenges, especially those concerning technology, such as having to use new apps for work and making sure that peripheral devices work during conference calls.

Being adaptable also means being able to tweak your work habits to fit into how your colleagues operate, allowing your team to function seamlessly while building positive work relationships.

Remote work is here to stay; make sure that your business is prepared for the long haul. Partner with a managed IT services provider that grows with your business — HERO Managed Services LLC. Our wide range of services will help you build a safer, more efficient remote work culture. Contact us today to find out more about our offerings.


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