Strategies for Maintaining Remote Visibility
Working from home has become the new norm for many, thanks to the Corona pandemic. However, maintaining visibility and career progression can be challenging in a remote setting. Career coaches Bastian Hughes and Ragnhild Struss offer some valuable strategies to help navigate this landscape.
Set Clear Goals and Track Performance
Defining measurable objectives and regularly communicating your progress and achievements to managers is crucial. Remote managers may not see day-to-day contributions directly, so self-evaluation and reflection can demonstrate accountability for your development.
Be Transparent About Your Work
Using tools and shared workflows that increase visibility into your tasks, time usage, and productivity can prevent misalignment and disengagement caused by physical distance. Transparent communication is key to success in a remote work environment.
Engage Regularly and Build Relationships
Scheduling consistent one-on-one meetings and participating actively in team check-ins can help maintain alignment and surface concerns early. Engaging in virtual networking through industry webinars, digital conferences, and LinkedIn can also help stay connected and relevant in your professional community.
Document and Showcase Skills
Beyond technical skills, it's important to document and showcase soft skills that are valuable when working remotely, such as communication and self-management. Continuously updating and advertising these competencies can help future-proof your career and remain adaptable to emerging roles and market demands.
Celebrate Wins Publicly
Sharing accomplishments in team channels or meetings can ensure your contributions are recognized, helping maintain your presence in the team's collective awareness despite physical separation.
Leverage Digital Tools for Communication and Recognition
Utilizing collaboration platforms, activity monitoring (without micromanagement), and automated appreciation tools can build trust, accountability, and engagement within remote teams.
By adopting these strategies, you can build trust, clarity, and alignment necessary to progress in remote careers effectively while combating the invisibility and disengagement risks inherent in remote work environments.
Remember, instead of always showing you're at your desk, demonstrate your achievements in conversations or meetings. Acknowledging others can help increase visibility, and being visible doesn't mean being online all the time; true presence is created through focus, scheduling breaks, and setting boundaries.
If you feel sidelined while working from home, discuss it with your manager by requesting a one-on-one meeting, stating assumptions, wishes, and expectations, and asking "How can we ensure my skills are better showcased?" Networking beyond your team by initiating exchanges with colleagues from other departments can also help stay visible.
Lastly, Bastian Hughes suggests working in the office once a week or once a month to maintain and strengthen personal connections. Direct interaction fosters trust, a sense of belonging, and empathy, according to Ragnhild Struss.
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Maintaining visibility and career progression in a remote setting can be achieved by setting clear goals and regularly communicating progress, demonstrating transparency through the use of shared workflows, and actively engaging in team meetings and virtual networking forums. Additionally, it's essential to document and showcase both technical and soft skills that are valuable in a remote work environment, celebrating wins publicly, and using digital tools for effective communication and recognition.
