Best Practices for Building a Remote Culture with Job van der Voort: Why You Believe The Things You Do

Best Practices for Building a Remote Culture with Job van der Voort: Why You Believe The Things You Do

In today's rapidly changing work landscape, remote work has become increasingly prevalent. As companies adapt to this new way of operating, it is important to establish a strong remote culture that fosters collaboration, communication, and productivity. Job van der Voort, an expert in remote work, shares his insights on best practices for building a remote culture.

One of the key aspects van der Voort emphasizes is the importance of hiring and onboarding processes. To ensure that new hires are set up for success, it is crucial to provide them with the necessary tools and resources. This includes providing them with a laptop, a stable internet connection, and a remote work setup that enables them to perform their job effectively. By investing in the right infrastructure, companies can ensure that their remote employees can seamlessly integrate into the team and contribute to the organization's goals.

While remote work allows for flexibility in terms of location, van der Voort suggests that building concentrations of people can be beneficial. When employees are located in the same city or country, they have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with each other, reducing feelings of isolation. Additionally, these employees often have their own networks and can help in the hiring process by recommending qualified candidates. By tapping into these networks, companies can quickly build a hub of talented individuals who can contribute to the growth and success of the organization.

Communication is a crucial aspect of building a strong remote culture. Van der Voort highlights the importance of documentation and writing as a means of communication within a remote organization. Instead of relying solely on recurring All Hands meetings, he suggests spending time documenting important information and announcements before sharing them with the team. This ensures that everyone has access to the same information and reduces the reliance on synchronous communication. By prioritizing written communication, companies can foster a culture of transparency and inclusivity, where every employee has equal access to information.

In the realm of belief and perception, it is fascinating to explore why individuals believe the things they do. Beliefs are often influenced by personal desires and the need for certainty in uncertain times. When faced with challenges such as the Great Plague of London, people were more inclined to hold on to prophecies, astrological conjurations, and old wives' tales as a means of finding hope and reassurance. This demonstrates that beliefs are not solely based on objective truth but are influenced by various factors.

Gibson's Law, a concept in the legal world, highlights the notion that for every argument, there is an expert witness ready to support it. This showcases the malleability of beliefs and the ability to find qualified individuals who can present arguments in favor of almost anything. Beliefs often serve purposes beyond seeking truth, such as justifying past actions, protecting one's reputation, or providing hope in difficult times. This complexity demonstrates the allure and power of beliefs, even when they may not align with objective reality.

Memory also plays a significant role in shaping beliefs. The human mind selectively remembers certain details and discards others, emphasizing memories that make good stories, confirm stereotypes, and connect dots between different experiences. This selective recollection can lead to distorted beliefs based on subjective experiences rather than objective truth. It is crucial to be aware of these biases and actively seek out diverse perspectives and information to challenge and expand our beliefs.

Changing one's mind is a rarity in today's society, as individuals often cling to false beliefs rather than admit to mistakes. However, the core of a scientific lifestyle lies in the willingness to change one's mind when confronted with information that challenges existing views. Intellectual inertia and blind faith in authority figures hinder the pursuit of truth and rational decision-making. It is essential to embrace a logical and evidence-based approach, avoiding cognitive biases and wishful thinking.

Beliefs not only shape our understanding of the world but also serve as social signals. They offer insights into how we form our beliefs, our confidence in our intelligence, and our ability to convey reliable information to others. While it may be desirable to have experts who are open to changing their minds, there is often a preference for individuals who exude unwavering confidence in their beliefs. This indicates that our inclination towards beliefs is often driven by the need to eliminate uncertainty rather than a genuine pursuit of truth.

In conclusion, building a strong remote culture requires careful attention to hiring and onboarding processes, fostering communication through documentation, and creating concentrations of employees for collaboration. Simultaneously, understanding the complexities of belief formation allows us to critically evaluate our own beliefs and strive for a more evidence-based and open-minded approach. To cultivate a culture that embraces change and intellectual growth, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

• 1. Prioritize comprehensive onboarding: Provide new hires with the necessary tools and resources to excel in their remote roles, ensuring they have a seamless transition into the organization.

• 2. Foster written communication: Emphasize the importance of documentation and writing as a means of transparent and inclusive communication within the remote organization. Encourage employees to share important information in written form to ensure everyone has equal access.

• 3. Embrace intellectual flexibility: Encourage a culture that values open-mindedness and the willingness to change one's mind when confronted with new information. Celebrate those who challenge existing beliefs and promote evidence-based decision-making.

By implementing these practices and fostering a culture that values transparency, inclusivity, and intellectual growth, companies can build a thriving remote culture that empowers their employees and drives organizational success.