Managing a remote team is very different from managing people in an office setting. Many managers across the country are finding out the unique challenges first hand. There is a completely different set of factors, circumstances, and processes to account for.
Check out these great tips to manage your team from a distance:
Be Available
Issues will arise throughout the day. You need to be available to help your team overcome them. A big part of your role is to be a support system for your workers. You need to be available to answer questions, address tech issues, offer advice, manage workflow, and more.
Be an Expert Communicator
We all know communications is a key success factor, and the importance of clear, concise, and regular communications with your remote team is absolutely essential. You need to make sure everyone is on the same page. You need to keep in touch with your team regularly, and you need to clear up any confusion as quickly as possible.
Be a Multiplatform Expert
People use different online tools and have different preferences. This is especially the case if your company has a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy. Make sure you can set up conference calls, video chats, use instant messaging and text, social media, and other collaborative project management tools. Depending on the employee, job type or department, how you work with these individuals can vary.
Maintain Professionalism
With everyone working from home, it can be easy to slip into a more casual demeanor. It’s important for you to maintain a professional appearance and expectations. Don’t go on video calls in your pajamas, avoid communicating outside of work hours, and keep things business as usual as much as possible. You set the standard you want your team to follow.
Be Organized
Managers often find themselves in charge of balancing a variety of tasks, workflows, and employees. You need to be organized and have a solid plan of attack. Find the right tools to help you most effectively manage your team.
Trust Your Team
If you have remote employees, you need to trust them. When you build a strong level of trust with your team, it becomes easier to manage them. It’s this mutual trust and respect that will help you and your team be successful.
Learn More About Managing Your Remote Employees
3 Tips to Successfully Onboard New Remote Employees
7 Tips for Successfully Working Remotely
5 Tips for Hiring the Right Remote Workers for Your Company
IQ PARTNERS is an Executive Search & Recruitment firm supporting clients across the country. We help companies hire better, hire less & retain more. We have specialist teams of recruiters in Executive Search / Board & C-Suite, Technology, Media, Digital & Marketing, Accounting & Finance, Financial Services & Insurance, Cannabis, Startup, Data Science, Consumer, eCommerce & Retail, Operations & HR, Manufacturing, Supply Chain & Engineering, Legal & Professional Services, Pharmaceutical & Life Sciences, Non-Profit & Sustainability, and Sales. IQ PARTNERS has its head office in Toronto and operates internationally via Aravati Global Search Network. Click here to view current job openings and to register with us.
