Many companies have experienced the benefits of remote work first hand in the pandemic. The employees are happier since there is better work-life balance, and the business costs are lower since there is no need for a physical space to conduct work.
Managers managing a remote team have ensured high work productivity by making use of top project management software and other relevant tech tools. But for those managers who are working with a remote team for the first time, it can get challenging because they come with the knowledge of traditional methods of management and organization.
This change in a work culture that operates 100% virtually may often take a toll on them and lead to a burnout. To help you maintain a healthy balance and avoid a stress buildup, we have listed below top 5 ways for managing a remote team.
- Overcommunicate:
For managers, communicating with their team often and clearly is a necessity. As a first time manager of a remote team, you do not want employees sitting in geographically different locations to have any misunderstandings regarding their work.
Communicate with your employees every detail and always keep them in the loop about important project information. Even if it is through a quick instant message and not something as elaborate as a video conference, communication will aid the management.
- Focus on results:
Often managers of remote teams get consumed by what exactly their team members are upto. They seek constant updates which can be counterproductive as the team may find it annoying.
Instead of tracking their every activity, focus on the results being delivered. Give your team clear guidelines and provide them the autonomy to decide how they want to schedule their day in order to achieve the desired results.
- Set clear expectations:
When a manager assigns work without identifying a team member’s strengths and weaknesses, it can get difficult to get the best out of the team. Take the time to understand your team’s competency and then set clear expectations.
This will allow you to set realistic expectations that your team can fulfill. Failing to do so will put you in a situation where a certain employee feels overburdened while others do not have enough work according to their capability.
- Take the effort to know your team:
When managers shift from an office environment to a remote work setup, they are completely reliant on virtual meetings to connect with their teams. To help foster a connection, it is important to have one-on-one meetings with team members often to know them better.
Managers need to show support for their remote team members as they often face a lot of challenges due to working in isolation. Make sure to enquire about their mental health instead of just discussing work over a call.
- Be approachable and flexible:
Your team needs to know that they have access to you when they come across any issues that needs your assistance. Be present and available for your team so that they know you are approachable.
Moreover, show faith in your team to do their work to the best of their abilities. Make sure to provide your team the flexibility to carry out their work in a way that they feel will bring the best possible results.
Conclusion:
The remote work culture is the future, which makes it crucial for managers to learn to adjust and adapt to it. However overwhelming it may seem, you will eventually get better at it if you keep communicating and building connections with your team. Lastly, do not forget to encourage a healthy work-life balance in order to ensure neither you nor your team feels burnout.
