Remote working is about trusting people.

The term remote working has been increasingly used for workers that work outside the office, be it for personal reasons, for economic reasons or global access to talent, or the company structure is built around that concept.

Although, whenever working for a client (if not internal) we’re always working remotely for that client and their team, this as always been the case, we go to meetings, have alignments and then we come back to our offices and do the work until next meeting.
From a team integration perspective, the default should be working as closely as possible with stakeholders and development teams. This is true and there are very few arguments that contradict that human contact is not efficient to generate strong connections, bonds and align people. It’s still very hard to replace eye contact and body language as interface of people’s behaviours and personalities.

So why promote or allow remote working?
The big mindset shift has been around the way companies see their employees — rather than considering them as a workforce, they’re seen as individuals that come together, motivated by a common goal. Although globalisation, technological changes and tools have been used as the reason for remote work to thrive, in my opinion those only serve to support this shift of mindset.

Why even use the expression remote working?
This makes us think that the word remote doesn’t even apply. We are remote towards what? A team? A client? An office?
If we can control or choose the environment where we’re the most productive, efficient and creative, isn’t this our workplace? Isn’t this the centre of our work? Can we call this being remote if we’re the closest of being our best self?
I believe that where we choose to work is where we will be happier, healthier, most comfortable and produce our best work, this becomes the centre of our working place, thus not being remote to anything.

Is it good to have a team scattered all over the world?
It depends of the team setup and company structure. Because, as said, strong connections and bonds foster growth and engagement, thus retaining people. Some companies keep a “nest” to come back to when necessary. Or create temporary nests around the world. I still like to be part of a “nest” or spontaneous “nests” to meet.

We need to use those face-to-face moments to break cultural differences, prevent misunderstandings, foster communication and understand the tiny discrete behaviours of our colleagues that define them as individuals.
We need to have fun together. Those positive chemical reactions in our brains, will generate long lasting memories of each other. In some cases, we will become friends.

It’s not just about being free to work when and where we want, it’s about trusting people and help them to be better versions of themselves
People won’t feel the pressure to be present and to prove they’re working and being available. They won’t struggle with daily routines and commute. They will focus on achieving and delivering, balancing personal with professional lifes. The work will speak for itself, positive feedback will flow through clients and collegues and the success of the work delivered.

It’s about bringing respect and quality of life to work
Distance and differences will bring a stronger feeling of respect. We’ll need to respect time zones, personal time and cultural differences. As people won’t be together or closer everyday, they won’t see or feel the other’s person feelings and mood, thus the need to respect the silence, the distance, respect and trust the unseen.
Being respected removes fear and stress, thus better quality of life.

It’s about breaking the traditional rules and boundaries of work
Industrial revolution is long gone. We don’t need to work around machines’ efficiency and schedule. We don’t need to be around machines to work, machines move with us.

It’s about being challenged and challenging
Being away from your colleagues and clients brings all sort of challenges, such as a good communication, gatherings, meetings, processes, distances. Eventually, challenges will become routines and less challenging as the working structure adapts to this mindset. But it’s also up to us to challenge the current methods and processes.

It’s about delivering the best we can
Working from where we want and with whom we want, removes the noise so we can focus on delivering the best work possible.

It’s about creating great experiences.
Besides the office and the eventual company gatherings, are there other places where we can have amazing experiences together?
Yes, the world.

I believe in remote working, because I believe in people.
Believing in people is nurturing the best of each individual.
The best of each individual blooms in different environments.
Different environments foster creativity and creativity generates innovation.
Innovation pushes businesses to create great products.

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