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Why does remote work create a sense of loneliness?

Remote work has brought many benefits, such as reducing commute time and enabling flexible working styles. However, at the same time, many people are facing a new challenge: loneliness. Without the casual conversations in the office and casual chats during breaks, connections with teams have weakened, making it easier to feel isolated.

This feeling of loneliness not only leads to depression, but can also lead to decreased productivity and poor mental health. So how can you eliminate this feeling of loneliness and build strong connections with your team in a remote work environment? In this article, we will introduce specific communication techniques to overcome communication challenges in remote work and deepen bonds with your team.

The current state of lack of communication in remote work

When working in an office, there is a lot of communication that happens without even realizing it, such as casually talking to a colleague sitting next to you or chatting in the break room. However, when working remotely, this kind of casual communication is dramatically reduced. As a result, the following problems are more likely to occur.

• Less small talk and a lack of non-verbal information: Text-based communication means that non-verbal information such as facial expressions and tone of voice is less easily conveyed, which increases the chances of misunderstanding the other person's intentions and failing to read the subtleties of their emotions.
• Delays in information sharing and misunderstandings: Necessary information may not be shared smoothly, causing delays and rework. Also, when each person works based on different information, misunderstandings within the team can easily occur.
• Decreased teamwork and increased feelings of isolation: With less interaction between team members, people lose their sense of being part of a team and are more likely to feel isolated. This can make it harder for them to ask for help when they are in trouble and can lead to a decrease in motivation.

Proactive communication techniques to connect with your team

To make up for the communication that tends to be lost when working remotely, it is important to consciously and proactively create opportunities for communication. Here are some specific ways to strengthen connections with your team.

Communication Technique 1: Make morning and evening meetings a place for casual conversation

Setting aside time for short chats in addition to work-related communications can help close the psychological distance between team members. For example, try setting aside time to share topics that are not directly related to work, such as weekend events or recent news. Preparing icebreaker topics in advance or asking questions can help get the conversation flowing.

Communication Technique 2: Use chat tools openly

Chat tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams can be used not only for work-related communication, but also as an "open forum" within your team. In addition to work-related questions and progress reports, try posting small observations, things to share, and even personal hobbies. Effective use of emojis and stamps can express emotions and nuances that are difficult to convey through text alone, enriching communication.

Communication Technique 3: Organize an online lunch or coffee break once a week

Providing a place for casual interaction away from work is extremely effective in strengthening team cohesion. Try setting up a time once a week to have an online lunch together or chat over coffee. By not forcing people to participate and creating an open atmosphere, members can relax and speak frankly.

"Conscious" communication techniques to "prevent" feelings of loneliness

In addition to proactive communication, it is also important to communicate consciously to prevent feelings of loneliness. Here, we will introduce ways to build deeper trust and prevent members from feeling isolated.

Communication Technique 4: Make 1-on-1 meetings a place where the quality of the conversation matters

One-on-one meetings between superiors and subordinates, or between colleagues, are a valuable opportunity not only to check on work progress but also to have in-depth discussions about topics that are usually difficult to discuss, such as personal worries, careers, and mental health. Be mindful of your "listening" attitude, listening to the other person and showing empathy, and build relationships where you can speak with confidence. It's also important to support each other's growth through regular feedback.

Communication Technique 5: Improving the Quality of Asynchronous Communication

Asynchronous communication, such as email or chat, which is not real-time, can easily lead to misunderstandings. To prevent this, it is essential to improve the "quality" of your messages. Make efforts to eliminate any room for misunderstanding by carefully explaining the background and intentions, and anticipating any points that the other person may be wondering about. It is also important to add a comment to confirm that the other person has understood important content.

Leveraging tools to promote communication

Using the right tools is essential to facilitate smooth communication when working remotely. Here we will introduce some common tools and how to use them.

• Video conferencing tools (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.): Talking face-to-face makes it easier to convey non-verbal information and creates a sense of unity. There are various ways to use video conferencing tools, such as using the screen sharing function to view documents together and using the breakout room function to encourage discussions in small groups.
• Project management tools (Slack, Asana, Trello, etc.): Centralize task progress and information sharing to increase transparency across the entire team. By utilizing specific channels and threads and leaving a history of discussions, members who join later can easily understand the situation.
• Online whiteboards (Miro, Mural, etc.): Allows for visual collaboration, such as brainstorming, ideation, and diagramming. Even if you are in different locations, you can have lively discussions as if you were in the same room.

Overcoming loneliness to create a stronger, more flexible team

Feeling lonely when working remotely is a common issue faced by many people. However, by practicing proactive and intentional communication techniques like those introduced in this article and effectively using the right tools, this issue can be overcome.

Eliminating feelings of loneliness not only protects individual mental health, but also improves the productivity of the entire team, ultimately leading to the growth of the entire organization. In the new way of working known as remote work, creating an environment where each team member feels connected and can work with peace of mind will be essential in the future. Let's be conscious of continuous communication and aim to create a stronger, more flexible team.