5 Tips for Successfully Managing Remote Teams

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses asked their employees to work remotely. One year later the remote work trend looks like it’s here to stay.

The challenge for employers is to keep employees feeling connected to the business, and their team.

These tips will help set you and your team up for remote-working success.

Technology
Provide tools to help employees collaborate - Microsoft Teams, Slack, Trello - there are many options available to keep your team connected. Shorten virtual meetings and ensure your employees greet each other at each meeting. Don’t only discuss work - leave time at the end of each meeting for employees to connect by sharing any good news or what they did on the weekend. Schedule some fun; host a Friday trivia quiz, a bingo session, or a virtual pizza party. Social interaction is the best way to foster a sense of belonging and fight off the feelings of loneliness and isolation that many remote workers experience.

Set expectations
Remote work is effective when clear expectations are established. Set times, methods, and durations for communication, and make sure information is being shared properly throughout your remote team. Provide daily structure in the form of morning Zoom calls or phone calls - whatever you choose, it will provide predictability and reliability, and let employees know they have a regular opportunity to consult with you. Set realistic goals for remote employees, and have a method to track their progress.

Recognition
Make sure your remote workers are recognized and rewarded for achievement in the same way as employees in the office. Acknowledgment in your newsletter, a public shout-out on social media, and even a personal card or small gift are excellent ways to boost morale and reinforce team spirit.

Wellbeing
Check-in with your employees, and keep checking in. Give them the opportunity to talk about any concerns or anxieties and offer them support. A great leader will acknowledge when an employee is experiencing stress but also show confidence in them, affirming belief in the employee’s abilities. Watch for signs they may be struggling and be proactive in intervening. Warning signs include missed meetings, sick days, cameras turned off during meetings, mistakes, and use of negative or emotional language.

Keep them in the loop
Communication is essential and we cannot emphasize that enough. Give your employees the opportunity to connect with you in the way that works best for them, include them in any on-site meetings, and make sure they are kept in the loop with everything that’s going on, both in terms of their work, and how things are going for the business as a whole.