What’s the best way to solve a disagreement with someone who’s working in a different location? First, try to give your colleague the benefit of the doubt. Because you don’t have a shared context — you’re not sitting in the same building, experiencing the same weather, seeing the same things — it’s easy to make assumptions about how your colleague feels or why he is acting the way he is. Pick up the phone or schedule a time for a video call. Start the conversation by highlighting what you have in common, which can help build bridges. If you’re still not able to solve the issue, you may need to ask someone else for help. To prevent further conflicts, try to travel to your colleague’s office, if that’s feasible, or invite her to yours.
Adapted from "Resolve a Fight with a Remote Colleague," by Amy Gallo
