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Remote working has been one of the biggest success stories since the pandemic, but the fact is that before the pandemic, a quarter of the US workforce already worked from home. And there are a number of organizations and industries where employees are always working in a remote fashion, for example, truck drivers, so what does it really take to learn how to lead remote teams better?
Remove the Obstacles
As we try to make life easier for our employees, we must also make life easier for ourselves. There are always unforeseen obstacles that your employees face, but you also have to make sure that having the right components for you guarantees a lot fewer headaches. Whether this is something as simple as small fleet owner truck insurance or having the right software in place, those obstacles will always provide a solid foundation for how you run your business and how your employees feel better protected.
Schedule Check-Ins
Check-ins may seem like an obvious component to get right for remote employees, but if you are new to managing remote working, this is crucial. Once upon a time emails, phone calls, and texts may have been more than ample, but now you’ve got to increase your communication. When it comes to communicating, over-communicating is the key. Because you have to remember in a typical workplace environment a lack of communication can still be a problem. Therefore, the obstacle of a lack of communication can mean that employees get the wrong end of the stick. This is especially true if you’re bringing in new tasks.
Establish the Ground Rules
Having the right “rules of engagement” can make everything more efficient. As a leader, you need to set a certain degree of expectation. This can cover communication and the best times of day you can be reached. After all, if you have things you need to do, ensuring the right set of ground rules will make sure everybody is on the same page and can respect each other’s boundaries.
Focus on the Outcomes
If you want to increase engagement and autonomy amongst employees, defining the goals and results and allowing your employees the means to plan their way to that goal will benefit everybody. Because remote working means it’s harder to micromanage, you have no choice but to hand over the reins to your employees. Additionally, reminding your employees of the purpose of these outcomes is critical so they can feel connected to the bigger picture. When everybody knows the overall purpose, this guarantees engagement on the highest level.
Showing Flexibility
One of the hardest aspects of remote working is having employees deal with their home environment while also putting in a working day. And a manager has to understand the unique circumstances of each employee so you can look after your employees better. If you are trying to lead any remote team into success you’ve got to give each of these steps the time and attention needed. It can seem difficult, but your business will benefit in the end.
