In the rapid shift to remote work, one pressing concern is becoming clear: merely transferring office procedures to a digital format can be counterproductive. As businesses quickly embraced the advantages of remote work, it is tempting to mirror the same daily office routine online. Morning meetings became Zoom calls, casual lunch chats turned into Slack messages.
Chris Herd, the CEO and Founder of Firstbase, has been at the forefront of these intricacies, and has a reservoir of insights on this challenge faced by companies transitioning to remote work. According to Herd, transplanting these routines into the remote world can, at times, be a critical mistake. Here’s why and how businesses can evolve beyond these patterns:
1. Recognize the Uniqueness of Remote Work
Remote work isn’t just the same old office work executed from home. It’s a paradigm shift. According to Herd, the misconception that the present remote work condition is the new normal can be a hindrance. For many, the remote work experience during the pandemic has defined their mindset around it. But to achieve the best of remote work, companies should recognize that those hurried circumstances are far from what remote work should be envisioned as.
2. Shift Towards Asynchronous Communication
Herd also outlines that there’s a danger in sticking only to synchronous communication. By merely mirroring in-office communication in a digital space, companies run the risk of turning their employees’ homes into offices. Such an approach can make employees feel like they’re ‘waking up and living at work’. This can be distressing and counterproductive. Embracing asynchronous communication tools and methods allows for flexibility, understanding time zone differences, and respecting personal schedules for better mental health in the long term.
3. Empower, Don’t Micromanage
One of the pivotal insights Herd highlights revolves around trust. It’s crucial to empower employees, giving them the autonomy and confidence to execute their tasks. Remote work can quickly become stifling if every move is observed and questioned. It’s far more beneficial to set clear expectations and allow employees to meet them in their own way, at their own pace.
4. Foster Culture, Don’t Force It
Building a strong remote work culture is different from replicating an office culture online. According to Herd, the drive should be towards a more significant goal: happier workers. Studies have shown that content and satisfied workers are invariably better at their jobs. Instead of imposing old office traditions and routines, companies should seek to understand what makes their remote workforce happy in the new work paradigm and strive to cultivate those conditions.
5. Embrace the Flexibility of Remote Work
Herd emphasizes the tangible benefits of remote work. Imagine a scenario where employees can choose to work from coffee shops, co-working spaces, or even while traveling. This flexibility can significantly boost morale and productivity. Once companies recognize the myriad of possibilities remote work offers, they’ll find it easier to avoid the trap of merely replicating office dynamics.
The transition to remote work isn’t just about changing locations, it’s about evolving workflows, communication patterns, and company mindset. Avoiding the replication of old office habits in this new setting is not just beneficial—it’s essential; to create a thriving remote work environment that benefits both the company and its employees.