A proactive mindset means you have to put extra effort into trying to understand what is happening within the team. For example, you can ask what your colleagues are working on and really put effort into understanding the ins and outs by asking questions about the topic. Also, ask about the status of an ongoing task you are expecting to receive: while an update on an ongoing task is easily given in an office setting, a digital update can be easily forgotten. A quick question can avoid frustration and get things done.

Additionally, active communication can help discover when colleagues are stuck on a task, which then provides the opportunity to help each other out and improve both collaboration and efficiency.

In a time where we are asked to all work remote from home, collaborating as a team becomes even more important. In every work situation, successful teamwork is important, but remote working can shed a light on aspects in which the team dynamics need to be improved. However, making this a top priority now can mean longer lasting effects on the team, also when office hours are reinstated in the future. Working from home without colleagues directly in your environment does not mean working alone: now, more than ever, communication and collaboration need to be a top priority.

In the upcoming days, we will share some tips and tricks we have learned while working remotely for many years.