Remote work is one of the coveted benefits of the digital economy. According to a May 2021 Mercer study, 70% of surveyed companies are adopting a hybrid work model. This will accommodate remote work and in-office work simultaneously.
Global Workplace Analytics’ analysis of the 2019 American Community Service data found that the pre-pandemic US remote workforce amounted to 5.7 million. This makes up 4.1% of the total workforce in the country. Owl Labs’ 2020 State of Remote Work report claims the proportion of pandemic-era employees who fully worked remotely stood at 70%.
Employers around the world are reinventing the nature of work. Indeed, the pandemic has caused an increase in the number of remote workers globally. The need to do essential work while maintaining social distancing is central to the growing wave of telework worldwide.
Beyond the pandemic, the flexibility to work from home can be a critical advantage for employees and employers. The benefits to both sides include improved productivity, time management, and access to unlimited talent.
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Work-from-Home Competencies
What makes a successful remote worker? With the growing demand for teleworking, it is important to know the qualities needed to succeed in that space:
Writing Proficiency
Writing occupies a large part of the communication process for a teleworker. Working from home means receiving details of your assignment via email or in-house channels and answering employer messages.
A remote worker should be concise and coherent when communicating. At the core of written communication is a need for consciousness and effort.
Body language and tone, says Gayle Cotton, author of Say Anything to Anyone Anywhere, are more important in oral communication than the actual words used. Unlike oral messages, written communication is impersonal and there is a greater risk of poor communication.
So, proficiency in writing will help you make up for the absence of non-verbal cues.
Tech-Savviness
The world’s dependence on technology birthed the ability to work remotely. Indeed, if you want to be successful in this field, you’ll need to get a good grasp of remote worker tracking tools and programs.
Statistics published by Microsoft in 2012 indicate that 67% of workers use their mobile devices at work. That figure is certainly higher now given the ubiquity of mobile gadgets. Research, communication, and feedback are now expected on a real-time basis. Indeed, those unable to adapt to tech-enabled, insta-communication will be left behind.
Explore all avenues to improve your knowledge. If you have to watch tons of YouTube videos or take several courses on Coursera, do so. Remote workers still have to turn in an acceptable output. So, getting the hang of your tools beforehand will help you maximize productivity at home. This way, you won’t have to fiddle with gadgets or work management controls when you’re supposed to be working.
Focus and Assertiveness
In a world full of distractions, focus can take you further than you believe. Employers often worry that remote workers don’t pay enough attention when they’re working from home. When you improve your attention to detail at work, your bosses will view you as trustworthy, dependable, and reliable. This can put you in line for raises, promotions, and other perks.
Knowing when to be assertive is another crucial recipe in a successful remote working brew. Just because you’re telecommuting doesn’t mean you now have more time to devote to work. Is the project too big or the allotted time too small? Let your bosses know about it. Accepting only reasonable assignments will keep the WFH environment toxic-free.
Passion
Former eBay and Hewlett-Packard CEO Meg Whitman argues that passion drives a successful career. This appears to be a universal theorem for all professional journeys. On a dull day, passion will do the job.
Passionate workers are full of inner energy, an unstoppable desire to add value, and drive to meet deadlines. Of course, success in working remotely often depends on personal motivation.
Working from home relies more on confidence in the employee than direct supervision. There’s trust that the work will be done and submitted without disappointment.
To make remote work a success, you must be accountable. Many times, you’ve got to pep-talk yourself because there won’t be anyone around to do it for you.
Resourcefulness
To thrive as a remote employee requires an appreciable level of resourcefulness. You can try firing off 300 desperate emails to a boss or coworker when you’re stuck on a project. Even so, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the answers on time.
There’s a variety of resources you can utilize. Online video and written tutorials, seminars, trainings, and knowledgeable contacts represent a mere sample. Showing dexterity to do things on your own can improve your standing in the company.
Conclusion
These core work-from-home competencies can be integrated into your remote working to build and maintain trust. Invest your time in learning the tech, do your work diligently and effectively, and seek feedback on any assignment. Moreover, stay motivated and continue to find ways to improve your abilities.
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