Be strategic about how you lead a remote team
As businesses all across Australia prepare more and more of their workforce to work from home I’ve been thinking and talking with leaders about what they will be doing differently as a leader of a remote workforce.
Remote working and flexible working are not new concepts to leaders and teams. What is new is that remote working is very likely to be a requirement for all of the team and not just for those members that choose it. The lack of choice around this issue and the speed with which organisations are being forced to act brings in complications and issues that leaders must deal with on the fly.
What plans are you putting in place to lead your team remotely?
Setting your team up with the tools and technology they need to work from home is important. Ensuring they have all the equipment they need ready to go. Providing time to test and try things out (if possible). Setting goals and guidelines about what is expected and what needs to be achieved.
Just as important as thinking about ‘what’ is required and ‘what’ must be done for and by a remote team is thinking about ‘how’ things are done and ‘how’ you (as the leader) will manage them.
Here are some ways to think strategically about how you will lead from a distance:
Think about a communication strategy that will work for you and your team. Will you speak to each team member for a formal weekly status update? What guidelines will you set for daily check-ins? How will you use collaboration tools, shared docs, chats, phone, video?
Be prepared to schedule longer 1-1 catch ups. Allow time for making small talk and getting personal so that you continue to connect with the whole person even though you may no longer bump into them to do this.
Every team member is different so individualising your approach is important. Make time to talk to each team member about what works best for them. Talk about support they may need. Explore options and share examples from others.
Be curious about what drives your team member while they are working remotely. Ask what they like best about working remotely? What their biggest challenge or roadblock is? And, who they wish they had more of a connection with?
Talk about a work routine and how to put it in place. Discuss start and end times, break times and acknowledge the “new normal” that everyone will set up for themselves. Ask about other commitments or constraints that may arise in this unprecedented situation of working from home with others around.
Think about how you will find out about, acknowledge and celebrate achievements and wins along the way. What questions will you ask to ensure you hear about them? How will you show your appreciation and recognise success?
Do you lead a remote team already? What tips would you share?
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Email me your questions, comments or book a complimentary 30-mins
leadership development call via my email: aggie@2insight.com.au