How to Communicate Successfully When Working Remotely

Working remotely is not a new concept. According to CNBC, as of 2018, roughly 70 percent of the global workforce was working remotely at least once per week.

But for most, working remotely is a complement to, not a replacement for, days in an office. Yet, in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, to minimize risk, many companies are asking, or even requiring, their employees to work remotely for the foreseeable future.

When it's not your norm, telework can be hard to navigate. QDT’s editor Karen Hertzberg, a work-from-home veteran herself, recently published “How to Work from Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak.” She laid out some of her strategies for success. Being disciplined about your schedule, minimizing distractions, and staying accountable to personal goals are some of the gems on her list.

RELATED: 7 Ways to Write Better Email Messages

One of the greatest telecommuting challenges is communication. Today’s episode is a deep dive into some strategies you can use to ensure you’re communicating at the top of your virtual game.

Clarify your purpose

In the office, you have the luxury of walking the halls and letting spontaneous conversation happen. But working remotely means every interaction with someone else must be intentional. It’s unlikely, after all, that you’ll bump into a colleague in your own kitchen when you take a coffee break.

Before reaching out to someone, know what you want to achieve.

Before reaching out to someone, know what you want to achieve. Are you looking for opinions? Seeking permission? Providing an update? Offering advice? Just saying hello?

All of these are valid reasons for reaching out. But clarifying your purpose upfront will help you to choose the right mode, and craft a message designed to get you the outcome you need.

Choose your medium wisely

When working remotely, you don’t have the option of communicating in person. But technology has allowed for a wide array of options from email to phone to videoconference to text to instant message to collaborative project management tools. The options can feel endless.

So how do you choose? There’s never a single right answer. But with a clear sense of the purpose of your message, there are some basic guidelines you might consider.

Email is great for capturing lists and details. I...

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