We live in a time when boundaries are fast blurring – from geopolitics to industries, and now workspaces. This shift isn’t just creating a need for rapid tech advancements, but also flexibility and resilience. For businesses, resilience is a cornerstone, and it is paramount to to endure, adapt, and thrive, no matter what changes come down the road. But why is remote work shaping up to be the stalwart in this new paradigm?
Darren Murph, Head of Remote at GitLab, is has a front-row seat to unique insights on this. Managing a completely remote team, Darren shares numerous truths on the resilience of remote work.
Time Zones: The Unseen Advantage
In a traditional office setting, your talent pool is limited by geography. But once you step into the realm of remote work, the whole world becomes your talent pool. Why does that matter?
By hiring people across a plethora of time zones, you get a more resilient workforce. While your local team might be signing off, your international team members are gearing up to take the baton. This not only offers extended business hours but also cushions the business from region-specific disruptions. There’s always someone, somewhere, ready to pick up where you left off.
Business Fundamentals Aren’t Geography-dependent
One might assume that remote work introduces a new set of business fundamentals. But in Darren’s view, this isn’t the case. The principles guiding an efficient, cohesive business remain consistent, whether your team sits in one room or is scattered across continents.
Empowerment, clear communication, defined scopes of work – all these factors gain prominence in a remote setting. But aren’t these the very tenets of any successful business? Remote work just amplifies their importance, making it almost impossible to ignore or sideline them.
From Optional to Essential
Many practices considered ‘good to have’ in co-located setups turn vital in a remote setting. This shift, in Darren’s perspective, underpins the resilience remote work offers. Communication becomes clearer, decision-making more decentralized, and employees’ empowerment isn’t a buzzword; it’s a necessity.
Equal Grounds: Fostering a Truly Inclusive Space
Another compelling point from Darren’s insights: remote work levels the playing field. It’s not just about hiring from different regions; it’s about giving everyone a voice. Traditional offices, often unknowingly, may create hierarchies or power dynamics. Remote work dilutes this, making inclusivity more organic.
This isn’t just an ethical win; it’s a business win. Different voices bring different perspectives, often seeing solutions or innovations that a monolithic team might overlook.
Beyond the Walls of an Office
One particularly thought-provoking idea from Darren hinges on the premise of work-life balance. If we truly wish to blur the lines between life and work, ensuring neither overshadows the other, freedoms become paramount. And remote work seems to be a significant step in this direction.
If the only thing to look forward to is the weekend, we might be doing it wrong. Infusing elements of freedom and flexibility into the daily work can change the entire perspective of work, making it more integrated with life rather than a separate, looming entity.
All in all, while remote work may come with its set of challenges, its benefits – at least in the context of resilience – seem to outweigh its pitfalls. And as we brave the ever-changing corporate landscapes, perhaps it’s time we gave more than just a cursory nod to the potential of remote work.