The use of remote working was popularized long before the coronavirus pandemic. Apps on phones and computers have made it possible to improve productivity, efficiency, and speed work. These digital tools allow staff to communicate faster than ever, thanks to their ability to do their job outside the office. More platforms are being created to make sharing with colleagues from different countries or offices easier and faster.
There are many options for managing and leading teams remotely. You should ensure that your communication strategy and methods are in sync with your industry, business function, team size, and any other relevant factors to your operation. There is much debate over whether working from home will be the new norm. However, as entrepreneurs, these are some tips to help you manage your remote team and stay productive.
1. Learn how to behave when remote work is a part of your daily life
Know your “distractions.” Distractions are a part of life. In small doses, they can be a positive thing. You can take small breaks throughout your day to help with stress relief and prevent burnout. If you take too much time from your most important work to do less important tasks, you are reducing your productivity. It would be best if you didn’t give in to the temptation to go to sleep. Team leaders must ensure a balance between work and personal life.
Recharge your batteries by taking some time away from the constant stream of information. It would help if you had work schedule that doesn’t blur the lines between your personal life and professional life. You can take a break if your stress levels are high. After a pause, you can return to work. Flexibility is essential if you’re at home with children or have to home-school. For you and your colleagues to use, establish the parameters of a “work-life Integration” plan. Be considerate of your team. These times are stressful for everyone. Your leadership is essential.
2. Establishing expectations and boundaries
Clear deadlines are essential to work with your team. Remote teams often require clear boundaries to define their work and personal lives. Remote working makes it appear that you are always available. You can save yourself a lot by setting communication expectations early. You should know what hours your team will be available. You should see the turnaround time. To keep in touch, schedule regular meetings.
Although work must be done on time, remote workers don’t have to be online all the time. While your team members should be able to manage themselves, your chief responsibility as a leader is setting clear expectations and goals. Also, defining how communication regarding achieving these goals should occur. By setting clear boundaries of accountability, you can ensure that everyone is accountable. You can check in regularly to monitor progress and lend a hand when things are not going as planned. You shouldn’t be surprised if you are wondering where everyone is in a few months.
3. Communicate often and check-in
Regular communication is a must for your team. Communicate frequently. A strong leader inspires everyone. Ask your team how they prefer being contacted. Text messages are acceptable for urgent issues. Or is it an invasion of privacy? It is important that your team feels connected to the central business. It is essential to communicate at the organizational level what is happening. Otherwise, team members feel like they have been taken from the leading company. They are curious about what is happening in the company, with clients, or with common goals. When possible, meet face-to-face via video whenever you can.
Your team needs you to see them. You must ensure that all members have equal access to you. Be inclusive when running group meetings so that everyone feels heard. Employees can have non-work-related meetings where they can share their recipes, memes, or quizzes. Employees can make connections through things that are not work-related. Sharing experiences, whether remote or in-person, can create relationships and define culture. These connections are crucial during times of stress. While being online is stressful in itself, it can also lead to stress. However, taking a other moments each day to connect with others, even if you are not physically there, can help build a stronger team.
4. Not activity, but outcomes.
No matter the location, measuring employee performance can be difficult in any company. Many companies measure hours worked as their primary indicator of performance. Simply showing up to work does not equal getting work done. It doesn’t matter if the team meets their goals or works six or eight hours per day.
Trust is crucial. Remote teams need to be able to trust their team members to show self-discipline. After a while, if your team members feel that you don’t trust them or that you’re constantly watching over them, they’ll begin to resent their work. Innovative teams are focused on what matters. It doesn’t matter how much time or how many hours an employee works. So long as they deliver quality work, meet deadlines, goals, and are productive, then it doesn’t matter where and when they do it. Each position and each team should have trackable metrics to indicate their productivity.
