Situation
You work with teams, individuals or managers that are quite literally across a physical ocean. Or perhaps your differences are so great that it feels like an ocean. Regardless of the differences being literal or figurative, you can always thrive. All you need is to build a connection and tend to the relationship.
Steps
Get to know one another.
If divided by physical distance, set up a regular one on one. The more frequent the better. Build a relationship as you would do with anyone new. If you have the opportunity to meet in person, do. Get to know each other.
Align on values.
Get right to it. Share what you value and learn what others value. Work to identify where you align.
Stay true.
Be who you are. Stay true to it. Consistency and purpose of what matters to you is important.
Communicate.
Keep all lines of communication open. Meet in one on ones. Connect over email. Meet in person. Chat over chat apps.
Tend to the relationship.
Like any relationship, it takes time and care. Check in. See how things are going. Learn and adapt as necessary.
Why
Literal or physical space shouldn't matter. What matters is how you show up, how you connect and how you align. You also need to tend to relationships. Stay true to the values you share and you can build a future together and thrive.
Photo by Matt Hardy on Unsplash · Originally published on Medium