Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of workers have made their homes also function as their workplaces. It is no longer a trend, but a necessity for businesses to allow employees to complete their work in a flexible setting. As a result of this, there are now thousands of team leaders who are finding they need a whole new approach to managing their teams as they are now working remotely. This post will help you deal with the new system of remote working and provide tips on how to manage your team remotely.
When checking in with your team members, you want to keep it as personal as possible by using video chats to connect with them. Phone conversations and emails will only get you so far. You need that one-on-one meeting to check on how they are doing and address any questions or concerns. Zoom or Google Meets are excellent platforms to use for this. They can even provide you with a way to connect with more than one team member at a time. At 98 Buck Social, we have several departments that require constant communication. It would be impossible for us to maintain proper communication without the use of this technology.
Working remotely has a lot of benefits, but it also has a disadvantage in that your team members can begin to feel isolated and alone. Having open lines of communication between team members will help with this immensely. Make sure your team members know they can reach out to you, and check in often to offer support.
Your team will need what the expectations are for the work they should get done. For example, are they expected to be logged in and busy during normal business hours or do they have the flexibility to work whenever works best for them? In addition, set your team up for success by clearly stating tasks and the reasons for them. Make sure the delivery dates for all assignments are achievable. Plus, ensure all team members understand how you will measure success.
You will find managing your team remotely means you cannot control every aspect of the work being done. Do not try to manage every aspect of your team’s work if they are distributed across different locations. Put your focus on the hours worked and the outcomes from those hours to measure your team’s productivity.
Productivity is going to look a lot different in a remote working situation than it did in the office environment. Your team is going to need the flexibility and freedom to get their assignments done on a schedule that helps them be their best. As long as you have clearly assigned projects and deadlines, your team will benefit from your flexibility.
All team members are going to need the right technology to work effectively while working from home. You will want to ensure all members have the tools they need, such as laptops, mobile devices, and high-speed internet. Not all members should be expected to already have these tools. As a manager, it will be your responsibility to ensure they have them.
Working remotely presents unique challenges to any team. It can be difficult, but it is certainly not impossible, to put together a team that works together effectively despite not being physically together. When you follow these tips, including checking in regularly, maintaining communication, and staying flexible, you will set your team up for success.