Focus Question:  What ways do different partners like to communicate?

Description
Communication is one of the cornerstones of exceptional remote work. What can you do to boost your communication skills in service to your clients?

Communication can take many forms as a remote worker – from text, to instant messaging, to voice mails left in Voxxer, to messages in Slack.

Part of the challenge of remote work is learning the right communication channel for the right type of message. Sending an important message to our boss for discussion is likely to be better done by phone or email than IM. Sharing a quick tip with a co-worker who needs a response NOW is probably better done in a quick IM than a full-blown email.
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Basic components for communication:

• There are two parts to communication – the message and what’s interpreted. What are you doing to check in that your message was received as it was intended?
• Be clear with your request – what are you asking people to take action on?
• Another key layer is to also think about people’s preferences. What is the best channel for the message and the person?

Activity
Consider your most important communication messages this week.
Ask yourself:

• What is the key message I need to communicate?
• What is the best channel?
• How will I check for understanding?
• How do I reinforce it?

 
For more on this topic check out:
Communication in general is the main focus of my 2017 book, Effective Virtual Conversations. Be sure to read the relevant chapters – for example, chapters 9 – 11 if you are a virtual or remote team, or

Best,
​Jennifer

​Jennifer Britton
Co-host of the Remote Pathways Podcast
Potentials Realized – Coaching, Training and Consulting Services for remote teams, leaders and professionals 
 
Check out the most recent Remote Pathways Podcast Episode, where we explore the people, places and processes of exceptional remote work. You can listen to the latest episode here, or on your favorite podcast player.

Focus Question: What are the skills you want to grow into?

Description
There are many skills which can help you stand out as a remote professional – here are the ones I shared in Effective Virtual Conversations for remote leaders. In fact, for most remote professionals we can benefit from skills in these areas.

What do you need to focus on in as it relates to skills in each area? What can help you grow? What areas have you had not exposure to?

As a remote worker it may be even more important to revisit these skills on a regular basis. Ask for feedback from others.
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Looking back to last week’s post on the ecosystem of learning where we explored the different ways you can learn in the remote space, what can you do to expand your skills in these different areas?

Activity
Take look at your skills in each of these areas. Rate yourself on a 1-10 with 1 being low and 10 being high. Note what your focus is going forward, including how you want to grow or develop your skills in each area.

Note your ratings and consider what you want to do to grow in these areas you have highlighted. My top 3 areas of focus are:
1.
2.
3.

Take a few minutes to download this week's 52 Week for Remote Work one-pager on Remote Working Skills.

All the best,
​Jennifer

​Check out the most recent Remote Pathways Podcast Episode which covers the topic of Mentoring, Working from anywhere and systems. You can listen to Episode 6 here, or on your favorite podcast player. Also be sure to take a look at the episode download.