How to Stay Connected When You Work Remotely

Being a remote international designer, I definitely miss out on things like office rapport, cubicle culture, and a team atmosphere. I work on my own most of the time and don’t really have co-workers in the traditional sense.

Schedule Regular Check-Ins With Colleagues

That being said, I still have bosses that I report to and teammates working on different aspects of the same project. They’re just spread all over the world instead of congregated in a single office. To make my routine somewhat more “normal,” I like to schedule regular check-ins with the people that I work with.

I make time to touch base with my colleagues on a daily basis to check in and see what’s going on. It’s usually just a quick “hey” and letting them know what I’m working on that day, but this simple gesture is enough to boost morale, get to know each other, and even strike up a conversation that can result in problem-solving.

Besides just talking to people involved in the project, I like to make an effort to be visible to the people at the top of the totem pole. An unmoving part of my routine is a recurring hour-long conversation with my CEO each month to understand the higher-level efforts of our company and get a good grasp on their long-term goals. Doing this has enabled me to snag cool gigs and get involved on a higher level than before because I’ve made the effort to build a relationship with my boss. Plus, it’s always nice to know the people signing your paychecks.

For any remote worker, regular team check-ins should be integrated into a routine. It doesn’t have to be anything annoying because you and the people you work with are probably pretty busy, but it’s a nice way to get to know the people on your team, even if you’re thousands of miles apart.