Maintaining Visibility in a Remote Work Environment
While remote work has provided more opportunities for flexibility, it can also present unique challenges. In partnership with Archetype, ModelExpand hosted a panel on Maintaining Visibility in a Remote Work Environment to address these issues, as well as provide tips and strategies for navigating this unique work environment as an individual and as a leader. Click below to watch the recording!
Click play to watch the Event Recording below!
Here were some key takeaways shared by our panelists:
Importance to establish and maintain visibility in a remote work environment:
Establish and own who you are, and be visible - take your own power
Find moments to put yourself in the right position and have your voice heard
Every organization is political - it's important to be visible and top of mind when leaders go to bat for you when not in the room
Map and sustain connections, especially when trying to progress in your career
When not proximate - make planful, strategic plans to be visible in the HQ when moments matter (ex: when a boss and other leaders are present) - proximity bias exists
Navigating changing managers in a remote world and establishing yourself remotely starts with observing and assessing
Wait, observe, and assess the new manager - what makes them tick, what makes them excited, what is important to them - provide a safe space for the manager.
Who can you consult with to get additional advice, esp when feelings of anxiety come through?
Find out how to be a partner to the goals of the organization - and deliver through results and relationship building - which leads to trust.
Make yourself an invaluable connection through your work and have an authentic relationship with managers.
Do an entry interview - when someone is new to the team, get to know the individual and how they work, and how they like to work. Questions to ask: what type of work do you like best? What is top of mind for them and what skills do they want to level up on? You get to know the more vulnerable side of people. It’s a dedicated forum to learn more about someone.
Have explicit expectations and be aligned with the manager, and take initiative. Put things in writing for more visibility.
Handling feelings of isolation in a remote world:
Try to build diverse support systems outside of work - friends, therapists, and family. Join groups or communities based on interests.
How you see yourself shouldn’t just be tied to work -view yourself holistically.
Building networks at work is important. Build strategic networks.
How to encourage engagements when folks are feeling burnout:
Re-evaluate what engagement means in a hybrid world.
Power dynamics are real - give people permission to turn off cameras.
Sometimes take visual cues away - use a phone, huddle on Slack, no camera.
Design with intention - ask why. Why do you want to connect? When is the best way to be in person?
Some teams have dedicated days of the week for no-camera meetings.
Burnout is a systemic organizational issue.
Advice for people facing imposter syndrome
Today’s use of this term - our environments tell us a lot about ourselves
Is it imposter syndrome or other emotions coming together?
Is it self-imposed or is it the environment I’m in?
Encourage personal work and understand and unpack where your feelings are coming from.
Write a self-review for yourself but pretend it’s for someone else - distance yourself from your own feedback.
Focus more on the motions for success. Language does matter.
At the end of the day, ask: who do I believe I am?
If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring your own folding chair - give people opportunities to be themselves
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ModelExpand's Women In Leadership Breakfast Series creates an intimate forum that allows organizations and audience members to engage and connect beyond the job post. To sponsor an event or learn more about our upcoming sponsorship opportunities, click below for more information.
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ModelExpand is a diversity, equity and inclusion consulting firm focused on radically accelerating the presence of historically underrepresented people in the workforce. ModelExpand’s work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes and CultureAmp.
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