The cost of working remotely 

It’s 8 AM, and instead of rushing through traffic or squeezing into a crowded dala dala, you’re grabbing a cup of coffee in your kitchen still in your pyjamas, ready to start your workday.

You love the flexibility of working from home—the ability to work in your most comfortable environment, take breaks when you need them, and even be present for your family when necessary. From Zoom calls to cozy café work sessions, remote work has become a lifestyle that, on the surface, feels like the best of both worlds.

But working from home successfully comes with its own unique challenges. I’ve worked entirely remotely in the past, and while I initially loved the freedom, I quickly realised that the comfort of my pyjamas came at a cost. One morning, at my desk, fresh coffee in hand, staring at a screen full of unread emails and wondering—am I being seen?

Sure, you’re avoiding the distractions of an office environment, but you’re also less visible than your in-office counterparts. And that invisibility can have a real impact on your career. Entirely remote workers miss out on the impromptu interactions that happen in office hallways or at the water cooler.

It’s during those seemingly insignificant moments that relationships are built and connections are strengthened. These casual conversations, or "small talk," often lead to meaningful professional opportunities.

Without being in the office, you’re not part of that natural flow of communication. And as much as we love the idea of being valued solely for our output, the reality is that in many workplaces, visibility still matters.

The key challenge of remote work is staying connected with your team and maintaining visibility with leadership. I remember a time when I missed out on a major project simply because I wasn’t around to be part of an impromptu brainstorming session.

While my colleagues were able to spark ideas and build momentum through casual conversations in the office, I was at home, working efficiently but disconnected from those opportunities.

That’s not to say remote work is impossible—it just requires more social effort. When you work remotely, you need to be more intentional about maintaining connections. Office workers get to have small talk over lunch, laugh about weekend plans in between meetings, and bond over shared office experiences. Remote workers? Not so much. You have to actively create those moments for connection.

One of the best ways to overcome this is by making sure you share little anecdotes about yourself during virtual meetings, just as you would in the office. Don’t shy away from mentioning something personal—a new hobby, a book you’re reading, or even a funny story from your weekend. It’s not about oversharing, but about creating those moments of connection that happen naturally for your in-office counterparts. These interactions help humanise you.

All that said, working remotely does come at a cost. Yes, you have the flexibility to work from anywhere, but you need to work harder to build and maintain relationships. You might miss out on office gossip, but that gossip often holds the keys to knowing about upcoming projects or promotions.

Remote work, if done without thought, can make you feel disconnected—not just from your coworkers but from the rhythm of your company as a whole. You become a name on a screen, completing tasks in isolation while your office counterparts build rapport, share stories, and cultivate deeper professional relationships.

So, how do you make remote work, work? The key is balance. Make a concerted effort to be visible, communicative, and proactive. Ask questions, contribute ideas, and stay engaged with your team. Take advantage of video calls to show your face, and use collaborative tools to keep everyone updated on your progress. And don’t forget to create those human connections, whether it’s through small talk or sharing insights into your day.

Working from home is a privilege, but it’s not without its challenges. Success in a remote environment requires you to put in more effort than you would if you were in the office.

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