The Three O's are always paramount when leading teams remotely. This course is tailored towards current managers, executives, and HR professionals looking to expand their knowledge about building and scaling high-functioning remote teams.
Remote team members work across different time zones and may have diverse communication preferences that could create performance hurdles for dispersed teams.
1. Set clear expectations
Remote leaders must set clear expectations of what outcomes their staff members are expected to produce and the ways in which they should do it. Without such clarity, managing from afar becomes much more challenging.
Good remote managers also offer emotional support to their teams when necessary. If an employee is having difficulties, a great leader will take time to discover why and offer solutions, rather than simply criticize for failing to perform as expected.
Great remote leaders include their team members in company-wide meetings to make them feel connected to the rest of the organization and boost morale. This could include virtual happy hours, brainstorm sessions, morning coffee standups and team-building games - all of which increase collaboration and make your remote team feel like family!
2. Communicate often
Communication tools should only serve to supplement what already exists - not replace it! It is easy to underestimate how vital regular, informative communication is when managing a remote team, but this shouldn't be taken for granted.
Your team members must be able to communicate easily among themselves by using software designed for group discussions and file sharing. Also consider setting up a meeting prep system so people can suggest discussion topics or report issues they are experiencing.
Make an effort to touch base with your remote employees throughout the week and do not cancel scheduled meetings. Staying in contact can increase productivity for a team that's otherwise remote; just keep in mind that their lives outside work may require them being checked-up on at times as well.
3. Be flexible
Remote teams operate across cities, countries and even time zones. It's crucial for managers to recognize these differences between team members - managers should not just assign projects based on gut instinct or proximity; rather, they should take into account team member's skillsets and experience when assigning projects.
Communication must also be open and flexible; for example, if one of your team members reports being struggling and doesn't appear engaged during virtual meetings, be patient and try not to jump to critiques or reprimands immediately - instead seek to understand what's going on and provide emotional support as much as possible.
Successful remote managers typically establish daily check-in meetings, either as one-on-one calls or team calls, to stay in contact and ensure all employees understand their responsibilities and progress. These check-ins keep everyone in the loop and help foster team spirit among team members.
4. Understand your team’s culture
Establishing the appropriate team culture is integral to managing remote employees successfully. It shapes how employees interact and sets the tone for meetings and other forms of communication.
Managers use team meetings as a way of setting expectations and setting the stage for how well employees will collaborate together. Effective leaders understand the significance of building positive relationships and creating culture when working remotely.
As it's essential for remote employees to lead fulfilling lives outside of work - such as children, elderly parents or a spouse they must care for - it's crucial that scheduling and responsibilities be flexible enough to accommodate this fact. Encourage individuals to openly discuss the constraints they are currently experiencing outside of the office so you can offer support - this will reduce feelings of isolation or burnout leading to reduced productivity levels.
5. Be available
Managers of remote employees must remain diligent to ensure they have all of the right tools and systems in place, such as providing dynamic yet user-friendly collaboration and meeting tools that will keep them focused while working away from the office.
Secure file-sharing options will enable them to quickly access and review project files at any time, helping team members working remotely avoid bottlenecks that might arise due to distance.
Many leaders who manage remotely aren't always available to their teams; gatekeepers may filter email and phone calls and miss issues that arise. By being accessible and available for your team as would be expected in an office environment, it shows your commitment and fosters trust between members.
