The Long-Distance Teammate: Stay Engaged and Connected While Working Anywhere

by Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel

In the last 12 months working remotely has become the new norm. This brings benefits as well as challenges for individuals, teams and leaders on a personal and professional level.

The Long-Distance Teammate explores how remote workers can work more productively, build and maintain effective relationships and manage their career progression from a distance.

The authors look at the difference between being a team member, and a teammate – “Being connected as a long-distance teammate means connection to the work, your boss, the direction of the organisation, and your fellow teammates; more than just technical connections, but interpersonal ones”.

Long-distance teammates can improve the quality of their work, relationships and personal success by focusing on and applying the ‘3P Model’ – Productivity – Proactivity – Potential.

Developing a Team Mindset is critical to success and the book outlines practical skills we can develop to achieve this, such as communication, self-motivation, managing relationships and giving / receiving feedback. Honing these skills help us engage and connect in new and more profound ways with our work and our teammates.

The authors explore an interesting concept called Ethical Visibility. This refers to how visible we are in the team, and the balancing act between ‘out of sight is out of mind’ and blowing our own achievements out of proportion. Aligning our goals with our team’s goals and culture, and supporting others and being mindful of doing this in a positive way is key to being a successful remote teammate.

The final chapters look at strategies for personal development and learning to enhance personal wellbeing, growth and career progression.