The new virtual landscape has changed the dynamics of the workplace.
Face-to-face supervision is not always required, causing the leadership landscape to evolve. Today, an increased number of people work remotely, creating a huge need for management techniques for remote workers.
Navigating the landscape of both remote work environments and leading remote teams presents a unique set of challenges for both current and aspiring leaders.
You may be thinking, how can leaders navigate in this evolving remote leader landscape? Some various practices and techniques can help address and minimize some leadership challenges.
Remote leadership should look a little different than traditional leadership models because it has different challenges. I've found certain strategies and methods invaluable in my journey in remote settings.
Why does remote leadership need to be so different?
The lack of face-to-face interaction in remote work settings can present unique obstacles. One of these, is that it puts a microscope on communication problems.
In an in-person environment, communication still matters. But in a remote environment, communication is everything. Creating an environment and culture that encourages open and honest communication is vital. It is a lifeline for remote leaders, and it requires intentionality.
Implementing collaboration channels, such as video conferencing tools and instant messaging platforms, is critical to help team members feel connected regardless of their geographical locations.
As a leader who has experienced the complexities of remote leadership firsthand, I can attest to the value of implementing these strategies. Team engagement promotes collaboration, which will be the key to implementing these strategies and strengthening your team. Remote leaders must adapt and embrace the skills to manage a remote team.
Step one: Create better remote communication
As a leader or manager, paving the way for strong communication starts with you. It requires intentionality.
1. Pay attention to each individual
Recognize and respect each team member's preferred style of collaboration, formal or informal. Adapting to style preferences can both enhance productivity and communication effectiveness.
2. Choose your tools carefully
Utilize collaboration tools such as project management and collaboration tools to help coordinate tasks and track a team's progress.
You can also utilize various channels and tools to practice clear and detailed team communication to save time, prevent misunderstandings and increase productivity.
3. Create bonding opportunities
Help team members foster personal connections by encouraging team bonding through virtual meetings, video calls and informal discussions. These interactions create opportunities to help team members connect personally and support each other.
Encourage one-to-one discussions using messaging tools to facilitate personal collaboration outside the group. These discussions can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation.
4. Write up communication protocols
Many people take communication for granted. But if you manage remote workers, you need to get specific. Minimize misunderstandings by establishing communication protocols that define communication standards and protocols for the team.
The protocols should outline how, when and where a successful team is to communicate.
By incorporating these communication techniques, remote team leaders can promote collaboration and a productive work environment during remote meetings.
Step two: Adopt a participative or servant leadership style
As a remote working environment leader, I've found that building emotional support and close connections called for adopting a participative leadership style.
This style is great for supporting remote team members.
In a virtual setting, it's essential to recognize the importance and significance of building trust and team collaboration.
Another leadership style, servant leadership is the most common one associated with remote leaders. Servant leadership plays a central role in providing the vision and setting clear expectations for the team.
What both of these leadership styles have in common is their emphasis on communication channels for each employee and the importance of managers responding to their team's needs.
Step three: Make a structure for communication
Leading remote teams means you need to provide regular feedback with built in opportunities for collaboration and discussion. This can be challenging at the outset.
Cultural differences and the significant challenge of navigating different time zones contribute to the complexity of remote leadership. You want to set meetings and times for your team to collaborate, check in with each other and raise any problems. But you don't want the emphasis on communication to wind up creating extra work for your team.
Leaders need to provide a clear vision and set clear expectations for the team in the face of the challenges posed by the remote work environment.
One of the most noteworthy challenges in remote leadership is fostering a better work-life balance for remote employees.
Working remotely can affect personal life and professional responsibilities, creating blurred lines between them and making it critical for leaders to understand remote workers' unique challenges. Leaders must also know how to address these challenges.
Remote leadership presents many challenges, but it also offers many benefits. While social isolation and decision-making in a remote setting may seem overwhelming or discouraging, the potential to build closer connections and innovative ways of working are equally promising.
Embracing open communication, regular check-ins, positive feedback and presenting the vision are practices leaders can use to overcome the unique challenges of managing a remote workforce and teams. Leaders will strengthen their abilities to lead their teams to achieve remarkable success in the modern remote work landscape.
Step four: Follow this action plan
Managing remote teams can be challenging for both the leader and remote workers. To be an effective remote leader, developing an action plan can be a valuable resource and tool.
An action plan can equip leaders with proper techniques and strategies to tackle remote leadership challenges and manage remote teams successfully. Embracing these valuable insights, leaders can navigate the complexities of remote leadership. They create an environment where their teams thrive, innovate, and achieve remarkable success in the modern remote work setting.
Foster team collaboration by…
- Implementing virtual team-building activities promotes collaboration and trust among remote team members.
- Using a variety of communication channels to ensure open communication. Tools such as video conferencing and instant messaging platforms are ideal for connecting when there is a variance of geographical locations.
- Creating an environment where the collaboration channels are relatable to the team. Emphasize closer connections, provide emotional support to team members and ensure everyone is on the same page.
- Building trust and facilitating team bonding in a virtual space will help ensure the team is aligned and working towards shared goals.
Promote work-life balance by…
- Understanding remote workers' unique challenges in balancing personal life and work responsibilities.
- Trying exercises and strategies to manage employees and provide regular feedback.
- Create a remote work setting that prioritizes the well-being of team members while also enhancing decision-making, productivity and work-life balance.
Overcome challenges by…
- Addressing the unique challenges of remote leadership head-on.
- Setting the tone of leveraging open communication, regular check-ins, positive feedback, and a clear vision to lead remote teams to remarkable success in the modern remote work landscape.
Go further as a leader
By implementing this action plan, current and aspiring remote leaders can effectively manage remote teams, navigate the complexities of remote leadership, and create a cohesive and successful remote work environment for their teams.
Remote leaders can face challenges when managing remote workers. However, managing a remote team can be successful with the practice of the appropriate leadership styles and performance. The tools and practices discussed will help empower you to thrive in the remote work environment and create prosperous, collaborative teams, regardless of physical distance.
If you are currently or in the future interested in working in a remote environment, the tools for leadership are here!
Rasmussen University’s Human Resources and Organizational Management programs equip students with the essential skills to thrive in today's remote work environments. Courses such as Leadership Development (MAN 4143) offer hands-on learning experiences that prepare graduates to excel in demanding professional roles.
If you want to keep learning what good managers do and don’t do, check out 12 Avoidable Management Mistakes to Look Out For.
