3 Working from Home Tips for Better Communication

By Julie Perrine

Working from home can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, being in your own environment can make you more productive and keep you focused on your tasks. Everyone knows traditional office environments can be filled with constant interruptions. But on the other hand, it can be difficult to stay in touch and collaborate effectively with far-flung team members. These three working from home tips will help you and your colleagues stay on the same page, no matter how far apart you are.

1. Leverage Technology

A text message can travel the globe in the blink of an eye. Nearly all computers come with webcams. And with a push of a button, you can video-chat with coworkers in different cities, states, or countries. Leverage this technology to stay in touch.

Chats, instant messages, and group texts are perfect for short status reports or daily check-ins. Online task management tools offer shared calendars, task lists, and internal communication features. Email is also a vital tool for people working remotely.

And while most teams use a combination of different technologies to collaborate, there’s no substitute for actual human interaction. As Time notes, you may need to show the initiative in that regard. It’s best to not always wait for your boss or in-office colleagues to suggest points of connection. Sometimes it’s up to you to start a Slack chat or a Skype conference call. Whether it’s via webcam or phone, schedule time to actually speak to each other on a regular basis. Hearing someone’s voice or seeing their body language can tell you far more than any quick text or email thread ever could.

2. Set Consistent Meeting Times

Meetings do more than just convey information. They also foster a sense of team. Working from home, you don’t have the same opportunities that office workers have. You can’t pop by Susan’s desk for a chat or catch up with Pete by the water cooler. Promoting camaraderie and friendship within the team allows everyone to be more engaged.

For the rest of our tips for working from home, read here.