As ever more employees around the world who have rarely \u2014 if ever \u2014 worked remotely find themselves logging on from home, managers face a daunting challenge in helping their teams maintain effectiveness while adapting to an unfamiliar work arrangement.<\/p>
However, telecommuting is a perk you need to implement thoughtfully as it can lead to a loss of productivity and sense of disconnection amongst employees. Leading a team that doesn\u2019t get a lot of face time (especially if it\u2019s something they\u2019re not used to) is a tall order.<\/p>
How do you create an engaged and cohesive group when everyone is scattered across town \u2014 or in different countries? How do you build camaraderie, foster a positive workplace culture, and provide leadership and support from afar?<\/p>
It\u2019s not easy. Fortunately, the following strategies can help you manage a dispersed team and keep everyone feeling productive and connected.<\/p>
If your team members have different schedules and work at various locations, you need to make sure pertinent information is easily \u2014 and frequently \u2014 communicated. Otherwise you risk having a disjointed and unproductive team.<\/p>
Communicating expectations; setting up processes for documenting and sharing; and making sure staff feel confident with their technology, tools and resources are all key for a seamless transition to the home office.<\/p>
That includes providing context for every project, which means having background on a project\u2019s history and who on the team is responsible for what. Contextual information should be documented in a central location, like a Google Doc, Teams site or wiki that all team members can access. Other basic information, such as project timelines and people\u2019s work schedules, should also be current and available.<\/p>
A simple online calendar app, for example, can help ensure that everyone on your team, from the telecommuter to the on-site employee to the temporary staff member, can easily share and view the latest schedule details in one place.<\/p>
No matter the technology you use, everyone needs to be on the same page about how the tools work and why they\u2019re being used \u2014 and be open to emerging communication options. Don\u2019t be afraid to try out tools and then retire them. The best way to ensure everyone stays connected and productive is to find what works best for your team, and sometimes that requires trial and error.<\/p>
When creating a calendar for your team, set times for when everyone will meet (virtually) and when you\u2019ll check in with team members individually. Also, let your staff know how and when they can reach you throughout the workday. After all, off-site employees won\u2019t be able to swing by your office to ask questions or get feedback.<\/p>
The bottom line: Never let a telecommuter or remote worker feel like they\u2019re on an island. Aside from the department and individual meetings you schedule, try to connect with everyone at least once a day via instant message or email. Even better, pick up the phone for a quick call. Speaking with someone to discuss the details of a project or convey an important message is often more effective \u2014 and efficient \u2014 than typing out the words. It\u2019s also a way to build personal rapport with colleagues.<\/p>
However, be careful not to micromanage. Telecommuters need to feel confident that their manager believes they\u2019ll work as hard as they would in a regular office, logging similar hours, hitting deadlines and maintaining productivity. If you\u2019re unnecessarily checking in several times a day just to see how things are going, your employees may feel like you don\u2019t trust them.<\/p>
While it\u2019s important to bring your entire team together on occasion, video conferencing is the best solution considering close contact isn\u2019t recommended at the moment.<\/p>
Seeing everyone\u2019s face helps people feel closer together, regardless of where they sit. Watching everyone\u2019s mannerisms as they speak, laugh and listen helps the team get a good sense of each other\u2019s tone, communication styles and sense of humour, and can help everyone understand each other better when communicating by email and text.<\/p>
Also, seeing your workers \u2014 even if virtually \u2014 helps you (and them) feel more connected. And it helps avoid miscommunication when giving feedback, because they can read your facial expressions and body language. So before you dial the phone or write an email, ask yourself if sending a video chat invitation is the better option.<\/p>
Providing flexible work options, like a remote arrangement, is not only a great perk for your employees but is also a way to establish a culture of work-life balance. Being able to work remotely and avoid a long commute are benefits that can give your team members greater control over their lives. That, in turn, can increase their job satisfaction and loyalty.<\/p>
In times like the ones we currently find ourselves in, the ability to work remotely can mean greater peace of mind for workers who may feel anxious about riding on public transit, working in busy office buildings or even unknowingly getting someone else sick.<\/p>
However, it\u2019s easy for dedicated professionals to become workaholics when they embrace the telecommuter lifestyle. So encourage remote employees to practice good time management. Set your own start and stop times, and have telecommuters do the same. And make sure you respect their schedules. Refrain from contacting workers outside of office hours, when possible. And don\u2019t expect a response while they\u2019re offline.<\/p>
Telecommuting will only continue growing in popularity \u2014 and perhaps become a necessity under some circumstances. As a manager, it\u2019s essential to help every on-site employee, telecommuter, remote worker, freelancer and consultant on your team feel connected to each other, their work and the organisation as a whole. Your commitment to fostering team spirit and cohesiveness can increase morale and productivity. It also helps you prepare to be an effective leader of tomorrow as the global working world gets ever-more intermingled.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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