As a senior developer, with over a decade of remote work experience for clients across the globe, I’ve seen the evolution of remote teams and the changing attitudes towards this way of working. Two books, “Remote” by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson (the founders of Basecamp) and “Rework” by the same authors, have been particularly insightful companions on my journey. Here’s my perspective on these groundbreaking books and why they still hold relevance today.
“Remote”: It’s Not About Where You Work, But How You Work
One of the core messages of “Remote” is that “office-centrism” is outdated. The authors break down the myths that remote work leads to isolation, lack of productivity, and disengaged teams. Instead, they argue that remote work forces you to build better systems of communication, documentation, and trust.
As someone who’s managed remote teams and been a part of them, I resonate deeply with this. When physical proximity isn’t a crutch, you’re compelled to focus on clear asynchronous communication, effective project management, and results-driven work.
“Rework”: Challenging Conventional Business Wisdom
While not explicitly about remote work, “Rework” advocates for a lean, iterative, and customer-centric approach to doing business. Many of its principles translate perfectly to a remote setting. Here are some takeaways that have helped me over the years:
“Start small, not big” – This is essential for remote teams. Begin with focused projects, and clear objectives, and prioritize getting things done over endless planning.
“Embrace constraints” – Remote work has inherent limitations. Use these to your advantage to innovate and be more efficient.
“Ignore the details early on” – Get something working first, then iterate. This is key when team members are across various time zones. Get the core functionality right, then finesse.
“Underdo competitors” – Focus on delivering exceptional value in a specific niche, rather than trying to be everything to everyone.
My Experience: The Good, The Bad, and The Lessons
Over a decade of remote work has taught me both the immense benefits and the undeniable challenges:
Pros:
Flexibility and control over my schedule
Greater work-life balance
Access to a global talent pool
Reduced commuting stress
Cons:
Potential for isolation (combat this with virtual gatherings and co-working)
Need for strong self-discipline
Occasional misalignment due to time zone differences
Reliance on technology (have solid backups in place!)
The Pandemic Effect: Remote Work Goes Mainstream
The COVID-19 pandemic forced many companies to adopt remote work virtually overnight. While there were growing pains, this mass experiment undeniably demonstrated that remote teams can be just as, if not more, productive and innovative as traditional office-based setups.
Staying Ahead in the Remote Work World
With remote work becoming the norm, how do seasoned remote workers like myself maintain our edge? Here’s my advice:
Master asynchronous communication: Become a pro at clear written communication.
Continuously refine workflows: Optimize your tools and processes for smoother collaboration.
Be a proactive problem-solver: Take initiative and preempt potential roadblocks.
Build strong relationships virtually: Make a conscious effort to connect with teammates on a personal level.
Top 10 Remote Work Resources
Here are my go-to resources for everything remote:
FlexJobs: https://www.flexjobs.com/
Remote.co: https://remote.co/
We Work Remotely: https://weworkremotely.com/
Remotive: https://remotive.com/
Virtual Vocations: https://www.virtualvocations.com/
Pangian: https://pangian.com/
Jobspresso: https://jobspresso.co/
Toptal: https://www.toptal.com/
Crossover: https://www.crossover.com/
Turning.io: https://www.turning.io/
Let me know your thoughts on “Remote” and “Rework”, and share your own remote work tips!
