How to be a Superstar 🌟 Remote Worker
“What would it take if everybody had to work from home for two weeks?” That was my boss’s question in early March 2020. Two weeks? Well, we all know how THAT turned out.
The year-going-on-two-years since that day have transformed office work forever. While there are a lot of mixed opinions about what the After Times might look like for corporate life, I think there’s one thing we agree about: For most of us, it’s going to include some version of remote work, at least some of the time.
Which means it’s time to get intentional about being a remote worker.
We know what being a superstar office worker used to look like. According to training website GetSmarter.com the list includes being dependable, reliable, and responsible. Glassdoor adds: motivated, communicative, organized, professional.
Turns out, the list is pretty much the same if you’re working remotely. These are the qualities that will get you noticed by your higher-ups. The question is: How do you SHOW those qualities when you’re working from home?
“People must showcase their capabilities, work at building connections, and create a network that can help and coach them,” said Kevin Wheeler, founder of The Future Talent Institute, in an interview with Digiday.com.
Here are a couple of things you can do as a remote worker to showcase your capabilities:
Turn your camera on. To the extent that it’s possible to show up in person, do it. Show your face on those Zoom calls. Look at whoever is talking. If you can’t be seen, you can’t show that you’re engaged. The corporation I work for has been really overt about this. The CEO’s message is that cameras-on is part of our new work-from-home social contract.
Act enthusiastic. A camera might add 10 pounds but it subtracts the sparkle in your eye. Lean forward. Smile. Nod. Ask questions that show you’re listening and want to learn.
Go out of your way to collaborate. When you’re in the office, it’s easier to ask someone to review a memo, suggest a resource, or offer an opinion on the fly. At home, it’s easier to plow forward on your own. But you miss out on the opportunity to learn and grow. Turning to your coworkers also makes them feel more invested in your success.
Provide your boss with regular updates. Ask them how often they’d like to hear what you’re up to. Then talk about what you’ve accomplished, as opposed to giving them a list of activities. You want to show that you’re getting results, not just keeping busy.
Keep up the networking. E-introduce yourself to folks in other departments. Suggest sharing a Zoom lunch or coffee.
There’s no telling how long we’ll be working remote. So incorporating these habits can help you make sure that you’re seen as the superstar that you are—no matter where your desk is.
Want help practicing these skills? That’s the kind of thing I help my coaching clients with. Drop me a note to discuss how I could help you show your boss that you’re a superstar.