The COVID-19 pandemic has made remote work far more common, and it’s probably not going away any time soon. If you’re managing a remote team, you may as well get used to it!
Here are a few tips on managing a remote team in the long-term:
Communicate often.
The number-one barrier to effective work in a remote setting is a lack of communication. Communicate with your team members often — most teams benefit from a daily check-in, perhaps at the very beginning of the day, or an end-of-day wrap-up call that sets everyone up well for the next day. And encourage your team members to reach out to you or each other whenever they need help.
Be clear and available.
As the manager, it’s your responsibility to make everyone’s tasks and responsibilities crystal clear. You’re not together in-person at an office, where you can collaborate shoulder-to-shoulder and ask questions on the fly. By making expectations clear and assigning tasks appropriately, you’re setting everyone up for success right off the bat.
Make sure everyone has what they need.
It’s important that you don’t assume every one of your team members has what they need to work at home — a laptop, a mobile device, a high-speed internet connection, etc. Remember that not everyone has access to these things, and you and/or your company might have to provide equipment or services that allow for long-term remote work.
Focus on the results.
Part of the joy of working remotely is that there is no need to log eight consecutive hours every single day simply because that’s what’s expected. Remote-working shifts the focus of your work to the results, not the hours worked or the activities completed. And you should support that — don’t worry if an employee seems to be away from their desk for an afternoon, as long as they get their work done.
Be flexible.
Remote work is all about flexibility. It’s important that you remain flexible, handle challenges gracefully as they come, and focus on the results that your team is getting, not how well they’ve punched a clock for eight hours a day. Staying flexible during these unprecedented times isn’t just a recommendation — it’s a necessity for staying successful!
Ready to take your management skills to the next level? If you’re in the market for a change of career or a new position, we’re here for you. Get in touch with High Profile online or call 972-991-7900 to see how our staffing service can help.