Last updated on Mar 14, 2024

You’re working remotely and feeling isolated. How can you stay connected with your team?

Working remotely can have many benefits, such as flexibility, autonomy, and cost savings. But it can also pose some challenges, especially when it comes to feeling isolated from your team. As an account manager, you need to maintain strong relationships with your clients and colleagues, and that can be harder when you don't see them face-to-face. How can you stay connected with your team and overcome the loneliness of remote work? Here are some tips to help you out.

1 Set clear expectations

One of the first things you should do is to set clear expectations with your team about how you will communicate, collaborate, and deliver results. This can help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and missed deadlines. For example, you can agree on the best tools and platforms to use, the frequency and format of meetings and check-ins, the response time and feedback process, and the goals and metrics to track. Make sure you document these expectations and review them regularly to ensure they are still relevant and effective.

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Scott Schnaidt

Vice President of Sales | Health Insurance Risk and Member Experience Expert
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For me this one is personal. We must set clear expectations with ourselves about how often we should be seeking input from our peers. While this can be somewhat dynamic based upon our work schedules, it is incredibly critical to have a minimum cadence to collaborating with peers.

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2 Schedule regular interactions

Another way to stay connected with your team is to schedule regular interactions that go beyond work-related topics. This can help you build rapport, trust, and camaraderie with your colleagues, as well as reduce stress and boost morale. For example, you can have a weekly virtual coffee break, a monthly team-building activity, or a quarterly celebration. You can also use these opportunities to share personal updates, hobbies, interests, or challenges. Try to vary the types and themes of interactions to keep them engaging and fun.

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Ben Duval

Partnering with companies to get people talking to more people | Digital & Finance Transformation | Source2Pay | Order2Cash | Customer Inquiries| B2BCloud Based Technology Solutions ☁
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Depending on the size of your team, creating a group chat through teams/slack/what ever your companies communication app can help a lot. Take some time to figure out where other peoples strengths lie and how you can help fill gaps with your strengths as well. See if people have time for a 15-30 minute call, as if it was time around the water cooler. No one solution is the right answer, but it can't hurt to try.

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Scott Schnaidt

Vice President of Sales | Health Insurance Risk and Member Experience Expert
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It is so important to feel human connection in our work. I always recommend setting quick 15 minute Zoom calls with peers to brainstorm any issue you are working on. Any collaborative time re-energizes my passions and almost always helps be more creative for our customers. Two minds are better then one always, and discussions with our peers not only produce better recommendations for your clients but alleviate isolation feelings.

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3 Be proactive and supportive

A third tip to stay connected with your team is to be proactive and supportive in your communication and collaboration. This means reaching out to your colleagues when you need help, have questions, or want to share ideas. It also means offering your assistance, feedback, or recognition when they need it. Don't wait for them to initiate contact or assume they are doing fine. Show them that you care and value their work and input. You can also use emojis, gifs, or memes to add some personality and humor to your messages.

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4 Create a comfortable workspace

A fourth tip to stay connected with your team is to create a comfortable workspace that suits your needs and preferences. This can help you feel more productive, motivated, and happy in your remote work environment. For example, you can choose a quiet and well-lit spot, invest in ergonomic furniture and equipment, personalize your space with plants or photos, and set boundaries with your family or roommates. You can also share your workspace with your team to give them a glimpse of your personality and lifestyle.

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5 Take care of yourself

A fifth tip to stay connected with your team is to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Remote work can sometimes lead to burnout, fatigue, or anxiety, which can affect your performance and relationships. To prevent this, you should establish a healthy routine that includes regular breaks, exercise, nutrition, sleep, and hobbies. You should also seek professional help if you are struggling with any mental health issues. Taking care of yourself can help you feel more energized, positive, and confident in your remote work role.

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Lakredi Tu Alston
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A 6th tip is to reach out to a team member daily and send a motivational message to them. When working remotely you can sometimes feel alone. People that are not used to remote work can feel abandoned and alone. Some people need constant connection and reminding that “we’re all in this together “. Check on each other throughout the day. Share something funny or uplifting that you read or heard. Team work is more than office work. Sometimes you can help the team stay engaged and encouraged by working behind the scenes.

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Scott Schnaidt

Vice President of Sales | Health Insurance Risk and Member Experience Expert
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Exercise is my mood elevator. I need to take care of myself in order to have the energy to serve. I look to find a peer on my team who also enjoys similar sports and exercise and have regular conversations with them that helps me prevent my own burnout. Getting outdoors for snow skiing, tennis, golf, hiking, etc. are great things to discuss with peers and refreshes our perspective on business.

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6 Learn new skills

A sixth tip to stay connected with your team is to learn new skills that can enhance your account management capabilities and career prospects. Remote work can offer you more time and flexibility to pursue your personal and professional development. For example, you can enroll in an online course, read a book, watch a webinar, or join a community. You can also share your learning experiences and outcomes with your team to inspire them and show them your growth. Learning new skills can help you stay relevant, competitive, and satisfied in your remote work role.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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You’re working remotely and feeling isolated. How can you stay connected with your team?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set clear expectations

2 Schedule regular interactions

3 Be proactive and supportive

4 Create a comfortable workspace

5 Take care of yourself

6 Learn new skills

7 Here’s what else to consider

Account Management

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You’re working remotely and feeling isolated. How can you stay connected with your team?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set clear expectations

2 Schedule regular interactions

3 Be proactive and supportive

4 Create a comfortable workspace

5 Take care of yourself

6 Learn new skills

7 Here’s what else to consider

Account Management

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