5 Ways to Close the Remote Work Gap and Keep Growing
How to Close the Remote Work Gap (And Actually Grow Your Career While Doing It)
By Kim Swindall
We all know remote work is convenient.
But is it helping you grow?
Let’s be honest—what we gained in flexibility, we’ve lost in proximity. And proximity matters. Growth used to happen naturally because we were around people. We picked up on conversations, saw how others solved problems, watched how leaders made decisions in real time.
Today? You're on an island unless you build a bridge.
When I Was Starting Out, I Didn’t Wait for a Mentor—
I made everyone my mentor.
I watched, I listened, I asked questions. I studied what the people ahead of me were doing. I said yes to things I had no clue how to do—because that’s how you learn. And I grew because I wanted to grow, not because someone handed me a ladder.
Now, in the world of remote work, that hunger still matters—but the path looks different.
Here’s the Gap:
When you work from home, you're not overhearing wisdom in the breakroom. You're not catching strategy in motion across the hallway. You're not being pulled into impromptu problem-solving sessions that stretch you.
But growth is still possible—it just has to be intentional.
5 Ways to Close the Remote Work Gap and Keep Growing
1. Create Your Own Mentorship Ecosystem
You don’t need a formal mentor. Start following someone in your company (or your industry) who’s excellent at what they do. Watch their work, ask intentional questions in DMs or meetings, and make learning part of the relationship. You don’t need one mentor—you need access to greatness and a front-row seat to watch it.
2. Say Yes to Things That Scare You
If someone asks, “Can you take this on?”—don’t retreat. Say yes, then figure it out. That’s how you build confidence, credibility, and capability. The most valuable skills I ever learned came from saying yes before I felt ready.
3. Turn Meetings Into Masterclasses
You’re already in meetings. Start treating them like learning labs. Take notes on how leaders speak. Watch how decisions are made. Ask thoughtful follow-up questions. Don’t just attend—study.
4. Use Technology for Connection, Not Just Tasks
Slack, Zoom, Teams—they’re more than tools. Use them to connect, not just communicate. Book virtual coffees with people you admire. Ask for 15 minutes of their story. Be curious. Be human. Growth happens through connection.
5. Build a Personal Growth Plan
Working remotely gives you flexibility—use it. Block 30 minutes a day to learn a new skill, read an industry article, or practice something new. This is how you build momentum—and careers are built on momentum.
Here’s the Bottom Line:
Working remotely doesn’t mean working small.
But you have to take ownership. No one’s walking by your desk anymore. You have to knock on the digital door.
And here's the truth: If you don’t create your growth opportunities, convenience will quietly become your cage.
You were made for more than comfort.
You were made for contribution.
So lean in. Ask. Watch. Say yes.
And make remote work work for your future.