Given that we’re still in the middle of a pandemic, remote work remains a way of life for many people. A lot of productive teams are comprised of individuals who are located in different locales. You are no longer bound to office cubicles or meeting rooms thanks to the internet.

Having a virtual team comes with its share of advantages for employers. For instance, they get access to talents from across the globe without the costs of physical work spaces. You save money and time too since you won’t have to commute to work anymore. However, there are remote team struggles too.

How to Work in a Remote Team

Many employees are having a hard time achieving the same level of productivity they had before the pandemic. It might be that they’re used to meeting in-person or that they are struggling to adjust to the new tools. It doesn’t have to be this way for you so learn how to collaborate with your remote teammates here.

1. Be considerate of working hours

Being part of a virtual team often means you have colleagues in varying time zones and with different national holidays. Mind these differences so you won’t intrude on their personal time by emailing or calling them outside of their work hours.

To avoid disturbing your virtual teammates, make use of a world clock app where you may check the different time zones. Set up a calendar for keeping track of the various holidays across the different locations too. If you can, schedule messages and emails to when they’re available.

2. Mind the minute details

Cooperating with individuals from different cultures means you will encounter names that you’ve never heard of before. Take the time to know how to spell and pronounce them correctly lest you risk offending a colleague. It shows that you want to work with them in a courteous manner.

This helps you to build relationships with these people thereby boosting the overall morale. If you’re unsure how to say their name, don’t hesitate to ask them about the phonetic spelling yourself. This makes for a wonderful conversation starter and leads to lasting professional friendships.

3. Give credit where it’s due

Everyone wants to be acknowledged for their efforts, but not everyone wants to be praised in public. Others prefer to be congratulated in private, particularly in certain cultures. Be sure to reward people according to their preferences.

Don’t let remote work arrangements stop you from telling people that they did a good job. If they’re okay with everyone in the team knowing, you may recognise success through an email chain. If they prefer keeping it between the two of you, respect their wishes and tell them through a direct message.

4. Learn about language nuances

Even if you are speaking the language, there are going to be terms and slang that will get you lost in translation. For instance, your British teammate might say that they’re dealing with a dog’s dinner. You may think they’re preparing their pet’s food, but they’re actually facing a messy situation.

Another example is that your Australian colleague might say they want to talk to you during the arvo. Before you begin thinking that it’s some special event, realise that they mean during the afternoon. Again, if you’re unsure about colloquialisms, it never hurts to ask.

5. Keep your online meetings visual

Much of the communication you’ll be doing within the team is non-verbal. This is why it’s crucial that you make your meetings more engaging by keeping them visual. This means you strive to keep your camera turned on during your video calls so they may reciprocate.

The good news is that there is a bounty of tools for visual meetings at your disposal. If you aren’t already familiar with it, there’s Zoom where you may schedule meetings and even record them. It’s easier for you to connect with people when you see their face, after all.

6. Celebrate the differing cultures

When everyone works in the same office, it makes sense to celebrate national holidays in your location. This is harder when you’re part of a global team, but it’s not impossible. You don’t have to feel left out when you see photos of the office party or team building activities when you celebrate stuff online too.

Speak to your direct supervisor about holding remote parties for marking special occasions. This also educates everyone about the different traditions revolving around these events. Maybe you can have a Halloween party where all members dress up during the video call.

7. Try to meet face to face

Unless you’re part of the management, it’s hard to request in-person meetings with colleagues to talk about work. You may still meet outside of the professional setting, such as when they are travelling to your area for vacation. If you know they’ll be in the same city, ask if you may meet with them.

On the off chance that your employer gives you the opportunity to attend an industry event in person, take it. They are likely going to cover the expenses for meals out with your fellow workers. Offer to give them a small tour if they are going to your country or town to build rapport.

Get ready to join a remote team

If you’re already part of a virtual team, we hope that the tips we’ve provided will help you in collaborating better. If you’re still on the search for an online job where you may work with other virtual professionals, Remote Workmate is the right place to look.