COVID-19 has changed the world as we once knew it. Everything has pivoted from uneasy feelings about digital to heavily relying on digital platforms to function. The biggest shift has been in the workspace. Many businesses have heard of working remotely but had not put anything in place to make sure their teams could do it successfully. As the restrictions of COVID-19 start to ease up, a large number of companies are planning to stay remote for a while longer or are permanently moving to a remote work setting.

If you are new to leading a team remotely, there are many challenges that will present themselves that can have managers in their tenure feeling like the new kids on the block. Here are 5 ways to lead teams remotely:

Give Autonomy

Remote workers are receiving their first dose of autonomy, which can be exciting or disorienting. When managing a remote team it is about embracing autonomy. Let’s face it, you don’t have time to micromanage and it will put stress on your employees as they adapt to their new work setting. Allow your team to organize their days (yours too) by what aligns best with their energy and performance. 

Even when you work at home, work should not completely consume your day or take time from your loved ones – especially in a time of crisis. Encourage your team to take breaks, stretch, walk, and regain themselves throughout the day so they feel more balanced.

Manage Expectations

Expectations surely shift when everything is going digital. Help your team pave a new plan for completing work expectations and create realistic timelines. That also means that you as a manager, have to keep yourself accountable as well. Clearly define tasks, methodologies, systems, and the reasoning behind them. Finally, decide how success will be measured. 

Otherwise, within a few weeks, you’ll wonder just what everyone has been doing at home.

Focus on Outcomes, Not Activity

As a manager, you would like to know everything that’s going on at every second. Remote work increases that feeling of wanting to know. Let’s be honest, you can’t. Instead of focusing on activity or hours worked, focus on the outcomes, and measure your team accordingly.

Be Flexible

In the current setting of the world, everyone has a lot going on, including your team members. Whether it be adjusting to a new schedule because of kids or having a spouse at home whose  work setting is noisy – there’s a lot of distractions when everyone is at home all the time. Reconsider your productivity standards and trust your team’s ability to get their work done on a schedule that fits them the best. Be flexible with your team and they will be satisfied. 

Offer one-on-ones 

A lot of people are focusing on team meetings in the remote world. While connecting with your team is great, check on your team with one-on-ones.  Since you don’t have an “open-door policy” when you’re at home, schedule a weekly 10-15 minute video call that gives the individual an opportunity to talk about their concerns, needs, or to simply check in on their mental health. Make sure your availability on communication channels (Skype, Microsoft Teams, Slack, etc.) is updated so they know you’re available outside of scheduled times during the workday. 

Remote work is more about trusting and empowering your team. Managers will learn to use technology to more efficiently track progress, communicate quickly and engage more intently with their teams. Managers who change their viewpoints on remote work from being difficult to a growth stage for themselves as leaders will gain new wins. 

Be sure to download our free guide: “24 Tech Tools For Remote Teams”.