Prof.Dr.

Aung Tun Thet

Based on “How to Create Belonging for Remote
7/28/2020
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Workers”, by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West-Duffy,
MIT SMR. February 8, 2019
REMOTE WORKERS

• Growing number of people working from home or

as freelancers
• Leaders ensure they feel connected to work and
colleagues

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REMOTE WORKERS

• Sense of belonging
• Safe and valued
• Embracing what makes us different
• Happier and more productive

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REMOTE WORKERS

• Healthier
• Cope with job stress

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CREATING SENSE OF BELONGING

• Daunting
• Employers feel isolated and invisible

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REMOTE WORKERS

• Connect and build empathy within teams

• Understand each other

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REMOTE WORKERS

• Another isolating factor - issue of recognition

• “Out of sight, out of mind”
• Receive less praise than non-remote counterparts
• Fewer chances to receive informal feedback

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REMOTE WORKERS

• Making sure to point out in public when good job

done
• Building sense of belonging and recognition

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REMOTE WORKERS

• Make experience as similar as non-remote

counterparts
• Management tips

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ONCE THEY’VE EARNED IT TRUST THEM

• Build blocks of uninterrupted concentration time

• Set clear expectations
• Use communication best practices

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BE MINDFUL OF TIME

• Delay decision-making until you’ve heard from

everyone
• If colleague asked to join meeting outside of normal
work hours
• Skip video
• Easier to jump on and participate
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SEND THEM PHYSICAL PACKAGES!

• When everything digital

• Physical package (books, snacks, or handwritten notes)
delightful

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HELP REMOTE WORKERS MEET EACH OTHER

• Virtual lunches or teatimes

• “Pair calls” - employees randomly paired with
someone else once a week
• No set agenda
• Get to know each other talking about families, hobbies,
and favourite shows
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CREATING BELONGING FOR REMOTE WORKERS

• Not daunting
• Carving out small moments to connect digitally on
personal level

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