The new-age norm of remote working has brought about another challenge for employers — helping their employees develop a different soft skill set especially addressing remote working. They have realized that there is a need to emphasize the soft skills and behavioural training of their employees if they want the transition to WFH to be smooth and beneficial for both parties.
This article discusses the top behavioural skills a remote worker should be trained in in 2023 and beyond.
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The impact of remote work on how humans operate
Organizations may wonder about the need to upskill or impart behavioural training for remote workers when they are doing the same tasks as they did previously.
For the most part, while roles have remained the same, the dynamics of working have changed drastically. It is imperative to understand that the challenges posed by remote working are significantly different from those in physical workplaces. It means that there is a need for workers to unlearn, learn, and relearn to be able to exercise harmonious functioning and ensure optimum efficiency.
For example, let us take the case of decision-making. Earlier, CXOs and other members of executive teams would call for physical meetings to discuss important matters.
But with the remote work settings post-pandemic, physical meetups have quickly been replaced by more flexible communication mediums, such as videoconferencing, emails, and texting. Employees can face challenges in adapting to these modes and need to be trained to pivot effectively.
Another significant way remote working has influenced human operations is the deeper inclusion of technology. From being an occasional and on-the-surface mode for the organizational workflow to being an integral part of every decision-making stage, technology’s role has come a long way because of the WFH culture.
So, naturally, you need to train your remote workers to help them function in sync. The following sections cover some behavioural training in must-have skills for a modern remote worker.
How can you train your remote staff?
Remote workers are like those parts of a family living abroad – the rest of the family occasionally meet them in person and have to resort to video calls and messages as the only way of communication with them. Still, they are an integral part of the cohort.
While the distance and the lack of physical, face-to-face interactions inadvertently pose some hindrances, using the right tools would help eliminate any unwanted bottlenecks. Most of these tools are employee-friendly and allow them to learn at their own pace, which is essential, especially for learning soft skills.
Top behavioural skills for remote workers to learn
Here are some of the essential soft skills an organization can train its remote workers in –
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Accountability
The distance between remote workers and their organization should never be a major hindrance in achieving goals. For that, a remote worker has to be answerable and take responsibility for the outcomes. It would require them to use resources carefully and supplement this skill with self-monitoring and personal integrity. To ensure this mode of functioning, the organization can conduct training sessions to impart the need to be accountable.
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Compliance
Self-discipline and the ability to contribute to a significant, larger cause are one of the most vital soft skills to be taught to a WFH employee. While compliance with the standard operating procedure is vital for finance professionals, we cannot undermine its value across professions.
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Creativity
The will to be different and yet get the job done is a vital cog in an organization’s success. Remote workers can be trained in devising flexible variations of existing techniques. They should also be empowered to develop creative ways to contribute to achieving organizational objectives together.
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Leadership
The ability to not only push oneself but to motivate a whole community of people to achieve greater results is a skill very few possess. Employers should screen and identify potential employees with influential leadership abilities and ensure they are trained to leverage this rare skill better.
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Stress management
Remote work is no different from regular work, and employees have to endure periods of high stress. So, employers can focus on helping their remote staff develop abilities to not crumble under pressure. They can be trained to manage pressure and use it to enhance their performance.
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Problem-solving attitude
An organizational workforce comes across several challenges regularly. Instead of getting bogged down by them, the focus should be on determining, analyzing, and solving them. For this, remote employees can be taught to harness their conventional and creative skills to undertake problem-solving with greater efficiency.
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Equality
A remote organization will have workers from across borders with different backgrounds, cultures, and languages. In such cases, employers should push their remote workers to address biases and ensure they value every team member’s contribution without looking down on anyone.
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Productivity
Time management can be a crucial enabler and an equal deterrent depending on how well individuals are able to manage their tasks. The ability to set and meet goals even during the worst times differentiates a worker. Organizations can work towards helping remote workers understand the importance of being productive for themselves and the entire team.
Centum Learning’s behavioural training solutions can supercharge your remote workers
Today, many employees offer similar technical competencies, and only their soft skills differentiate them.
As for organizations with a dispersed workforce, the focus should be on creating a workforce that works at optimum efficiency irrespective of location. For this, they must undertake periodic training to ensure their employees are well-equipped to withstand pressure and succeed.
Often, employers need professional help to ensure their remote workforce receives enough attention and is continuously updating themselves to conform to modern norms. At Centum Learning, we believe we have the expertise to help you create meaningful training programs to supercharge your employees holistically.
Click here to learn more about Centum Learning’s behavioural and soft skills training programs for a remote organizational workforce.
