Steps for Maintaining Remote Visibility
The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the way we work, with many employees now working remotely. However, this shift in working environment does not have to mean a setback in career growth. Here are some key strategies to maintain visibility and prevent career setbacks while working from home.
Trust is the Strongest Form of Visibility
Trust is crucial, especially when working remotely. To build trust, it's important to communicate your value confidently and focus on outcomes, not just hours worked. Career coach Bastian Hughes recommends framing achievements in terms of impact on team and organizational goals, using concise value statements.
Being Visible Does Not Mean Being Online All the Time
Being visible does not mean being online all the time. True presence is created through focus, protecting deep work time, scheduling breaks, and setting boundaries. Responding to every email immediately, constantly starting new projects, and filling one's calendar with numerous meetings is not necessary to prove productivity while working from home.
Instead, show what you achieve in conversations or meetings, rather than demonstrating that you are always sitting in front of the computer. Turning on the camera during online meetings can help to remain visible.
Building Relationships and Staying Visible
Scheduling short informal conversations with colleagues and superiors can help build relationships and stay visible. Direct interaction fosters trust, a sense of belonging, and empathy, according to career counselor Ragnhild Struss. Initiating an exchange with colleagues from other departments can also be beneficial.
Engaging Regularly and Advocating for Yourself
Engage regularly in check-ins, stand-ups, and public recognition to keep your manager and peers aware of your progress and contributions. Leveraging transparent workflows and productivity tools that share activity data and progress can help avoid assumptions about work and minimize misalignment.
Advocate for yourself by discussing career growth opportunities and workload concerns proactively. This can help managers better evaluate your performance and support your development.
Staying Visible Through Strategic Projects
Focus on building visibility through strategic projects that align with your career goals and showcase your talents, rather than spreading yourself too thin. Initiating an exchange with colleagues from other departments can also be beneficial.
Giving Recognition Explicitly
Giving recognition explicitly, specifically, and warmly can also help to remain visible. Employees who work both from home and in the office should keep their availability clear and up-to-date in collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams or Slack. Communicating your motivations ('why') can help to stay visible as well.
In Conclusion
By following these strategies, you can maintain visibility and prevent career setbacks while working from home. Focus on clear communication of your value, proactive engagement, and transparency of outcomes rather than hours worked. Make your contributions visible through regular updates, strategic projects, and public recognition in virtual settings. Advocate for your needs and growth by initiating conversations with your manager about your career trajectory and workload balance. Use digital tools effectively to stay aligned with your team and manager while emphasizing quality results over time spent online.
What strategies can help me maintain visibility and prevent career setbacks while working from home?
Trust can be the strongest form of visibility, so communicate your value confidently by framing achievements in terms of impact on team and organizational goals, using concise value statements. Additionally, engaging regularly in check-ins, stand-ups, and public recognition, advocating for yourself by discussing career growth opportunities and workload concerns proactively, and focusing on building visibility through strategic projects that align with your career goals can all contribute to maintaining visibility.
