How to be a Team Player in a Remote Environment

Being a good team player in a remote team involves developing and practicing certain skills and habits. Here are some tips on how to be a good team player in a remote team:

Communicate Effectively

Communication is crucial in a remote team, and good team players communicate regularly, clearly, and with empathy. Listen actively, ask questions, and provide timely feedback and updates.

Another strategy is to communicate regularly with the team using various channels such as video calls, email, instant messaging, and project management tools. Also, be responsive to messages and provide regular updates on work.

Participate in team meetings

Remote workers can demonstrate team support by attending team meetings, contributing to discussions, and actively engaging with colleagues. If your boss sent an agenda ahead of time, be sure to review it and any other materials. Be prepared to share their ideas, ask questions, and provide feedback.

A sure sign a remote worker is engaged and participate is to turn the camera on! It is so imperative to keep that human element alive when working remote.

Set obtainable goals

Set project-based or overall professional goals for yourself and work to achieve them. Work with your leader to ensure your goals align with business goals and expectations for your remote role. This can involve setting daily, weekly, or monthly goals and tracking progress towards those goals. It can also mean participating in professional development opportunities to enhance your skills and knowledge base.

Collaborate and share knowledge

Good team players collaborate with their team members, share their knowledge and expertise, and help others when needed. They work towards common goals and are open to feedback and constructive criticism. They are also open to feedback and willing to make changes to their work based on input from their colleagues.

Avoid the pitfalls of collaboration such as trying to one-up others, point fingers and blame, and other negative practices. For more, check out our article: How to Collaborate in a Remote Environment

Be reliable and accountable

Good team players are reliable and accountable. They deliver on their commitments, meet deadlines, and take responsibility for their work. They are also transparent about their progress and communicate any issues or challenges they encounter.

Remote workers can establish and work with clear goals and expectations with their team members to ensure everyone is aligned and working towards the same objectives. This can help to minimize confusion and ensure that everyone is working towards the same outcomes.

Build trust and respect

Good team players build trust and respect with their team members and foster a positive team culture. They are honest, respectful, and professional in their interactions, and they treat their colleagues with empathy and kindness.

Avoid the pitfall of getting out of a meeting in which you showed support for a fellow team-member, then jumping into a private virtual meeting with another and talking negatively about that same team member. Such unprofessional behavior does not build trust, instead it builds barriers and breaks trust efforts. Instead, be a courageous remote worker by being transparent, tactfully bring up areas of disagreement or concerns at the right time and through appropriate channels. Read more about building trust: How to Build Trust in a Remote Environment

Be proactive and self-motivated

Good team players take initiative and are self-motivated. They look for opportunities to contribute and take on new challenges, and they are proactive in identifying and solving problems. Being proactive can include staying organized, meeting and communicating about deadlines, suggesting new ideas, or finding and proposing ways to improve processes.

Use the right tools and technology

Remote workers can use the right tools and technology to facilitate collaboration and teamwork. This can include project management tools, communication software, and other platforms that enable remote collaboration. Avoid being the remote team member that only communicates via text if everyone else is collaborating on a shared doc. Show respect by collaborating within the same channel as appropriate.

If you are unfamiliar with a communication tool, don’t just avoid using it! Instead, ask for help and practice with fellow team members until you are comfortable with the tool. If you notice another team member may be struggling with the technology, offer to practice with them until your colleagues skill set has improved. For more information, read Generational Communication in the Remote Workplace

Embrace diversity and inclusivity

Good team players embrace diversity and inclusivity. They value different perspectives and backgrounds and are open to learning from others. They also avoid making assumptions or judgments based on stereotypes or biases.

Take the time to learn about different cultures, identities, and perspectives. This can involve reading books, watching documentaries, or attending webinars or workshops. Show respect for others’ identities, experiences, and perspectives by avoiding assumptions, stereotypes, and insensitive language or behaviors.

Listen actively to others’ experiences and perspectives, and be open to learning and growth. By taking these actions, you can embrace diversity and inclusivity as a remote worker and contribute to a more welcoming and inclusive work environment.

Demonstrate a positive attitude

Demonstrate a positive attitude and mindset, even in challenging situations. this can mean being mindful of your nonverbals during video conferences, choosing your words carefully in an email or other communication, or even using positive emojis/emoticons to communicate your supportive reaction to an instant message (IM). This can inspire and motivate team members and help create a positive work environment.

Summary

By practicing these skills and habits, you can be a good team player in a remote team and contribute to a positive and productive team culture. These strategies can help individuals succeed in a remote work environment and contribute to the success of the team.

For more ideas on how to be a positive remote team player, contact us about our Remote Professional Certification. In this certification track, you will learn more about factors that can improve your ability to contribute as a remote team member.