Today’s remote workers are tomorrow’s leaders. The ability to work from anywhere, at any time, is a skill that will only increase in value in the coming years. But what does it take to be a successful remote worker? Why do some people succeed while others fail? 

Here are some ways to be successful while working from home.

Trust Your Instincts

Say your asked by your supervisor to source an usherette tray supplier for a client you’re working on. You may feel alone, a bit nervous to take on a task with little to no direction. 

You have to sit with being uncomfortable knowing that working online makes it a bit more challenging to communicate with your team. 

Use your instincts as a guide to make sure you’re reaching your goals. Be sure to set appropriate boundaries of your supervisor’s expectations. Let them know you can be proactive but also reach out to them for help.

 

Cultivate Relationships

Your one-on-one meetings with co-workers are now conference calls. While you won’t have the same level of face-to-face interaction as you would in an office, you can still cultivate meaningful relationships that help you work better remotely. One of the best ways to do this is to build a strong support network. 

Supporting your colleagues doesn’t just mean helping them when they need a hand; it also means letting them know when they’re doing a good job and congratulating them on their successes. 

This helps build trust among the team members and encourages them to support you in return, which is a huge advantage in a remote work environment. 

You’ll also want to put effort into building relationships with people outside your team. Through a virtual network of acquaintances and trusted peers, you can gain new perspectives and ideas you might not have thought of on your own. 

Make Accountability A Priority

Being accountable is a skill that many remote workers must learn. 

There is no manager walking down the hallway to check in on you, so you must be diligent about setting and meeting goals and following up with your team members. 

Remote workers must have the right tools to stay accountable. Invest in a reliable high-speed internet connection and a good phone system. 

You may also want to consider using collaborative software, like Dropbox, Google Docs or Microsoft Teams, to stay connected with your team and track projects. Use tools like these to keep your work visible to your team members and hold yourself accountable by setting goals, following through on commitments and updating your team on your progress. 

If you’re having trouble staying accountable, find a peer or manager who can help hold you to your commitments.

 

Bottom Line

Remote work is becoming more and more common, as more and more companies look for ways to save money or find better ways to attract talent. 

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, 43% of companies hire remote workers at least sometimes. For those who work remotely, there are 3 secrets to being a successful remote worker. 

These remote workers embody 3 key principles that have led them to success as a teleworker: trust, connection and accountability. 

If you want to succeed as a remote worker, you need to cultivate relationships with your colleagues, trust your instincts and make accountability a priority.