5 Books Every Remote Worker Should Read

Employees who work remotely often report feeling happier about their work; however, studies also find that 32% of teleworkers feel less connected. Remote work is here to stay, but the challenges it brings don’t have to be. Thankfully, books provide expert insight on the unique obstacles of working remotely. From productivity tips to technology upgrades, books help teleworkers navigate these challenges and get the most out of their career.

Deep Work by Cal Newport

Deep Work explores how knowledge workers can tap into flow to become masters of their craft while consistently producing value. Software designers, writers and everyone in between can benefit from reading Cal Newport’s guide to focused, meaningful work.

At its core, Deep Work is a practical guide to being a craftsman in a world full of distractions and shallow tasks. Newport explains his theories with scientific findings and anecdotes about the lives of thought leaders, like Mark Twain and Carl Jung. But he goes beyond theory and gives the reader practical tactics for efficiency and meaning.

Think Again by Adam Grant

Think Again will have the reader reconsidering and questioning everything they think they know. Change is inevitable but Adam Grant gives timeless principles for adapting and rethinking. He argues that people often act like preachers, politicians or prosecutors when it would be more valuable to deliberate like a scientist. Grant gives practical steps for rethinking in a clear, logical way to help people make better decisions, no matter their actual career.

Remote Inc by Alexandra Samuel and Robert Pozen

From CEOs to new hires, anyone who works remotely will learn something from reading Remote Inc. The authors, Alexandra Samuel and Robert Pozen, equip readers with the resources to shift into an entrepreneurial mindset. The core focus is to teach teleworkers to achieve new heights by acting like a "business of one."

This book goes beyond speculation by including real-life stories about remote workers and how they used this mindset. Remote Inc. offers invaluable tips and implementations for being more productive and autonomous, both in and out of the office.

The Inevitable by Kevin Kelly

The Inevitable may sound foreboding, but it takes a hopeful look at technology and the role it plays in the future. Kevin Kelly focuses on the tendencies of machines and how people can work with them, not against them. Unlike similar books, he doesn't predict specific products or inventions but rather the general progression of systems. Kelly writes in a way that is clear and easy to read, so people in any industry can understand the exciting trends and forces already shaping the future.

Remote Work Revolution by Tsedal Neely

Disconnection and a lack of workplace culture can haunt a remote company. So, how do managers efficiently lead a decentralized team? Remote Work Revolution examines how leaders can be catalysts for productivity and connection. Tsedal Neely, a professor in the Organization Behavior unit at the Harvard Business School, offers action steps starting with the launch (and relaunches) of remote teams. While the tactics are directed towards employers and managers, teleworkers at any stage of their career will benefit from the insight of Remote Work Revolution.