What are the best ways to manage a remote team effectively?

Managing a remote team can be challenging, especially if you are used to working face-to-face with your colleagues. However, with the right strategies and tools, you can overcome the common obstacles of distance, communication, and collaboration, and lead your team to success. In this article, we will share some of the best ways to manage a remote team effectively, based on our experience and research.

1 Set clear expectations

One of the first steps to managing a remote team is to establish clear and realistic expectations for your team members. This includes defining the scope, goals, deadlines, and deliverables of each project, as well as the roles, responsibilities, and expectations of each team member. You should also communicate how you will measure and evaluate their performance, and what kind of feedback and recognition they can expect. By setting clear expectations, you can avoid confusion, misalignment, and frustration, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

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Dr. Sophie Acker

Let’s solve the stress epidemic in orthodontics | Amsterdam-adopted Frenchy | 👧🏼 Mum
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While this sounds like a management 101 advice, this is even more important when manageing a remote team than when you are sitting in the office with your team. You won't have as many opportunities to course correct than you would when sitting next to each others: - no unplanned conversations at the coffee machine - no catching discussions with peers - no chance for your team to ask impromptu questions "just because you're there"

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Meghan Fenton

Leadership & Enneagram Coach | Talent Development Professional | Business & People Manager
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An important part of expectation setting in remote work is how you and your team will work together remotely and what that looks like. For example, will you do a daily phone call or instant message to say good morning? Do you appreciate someone saying goodbye at the end of the day or is it OK for them to just sign off? Do you encourage them to call you or email? All of these details go a long way to ensure that you are accessible and that the team knows how they can get support and share wins each day.

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2 Communicate regularly and effectively

Communication is vital for any team, but especially for a remote one. Without regular and effective communication, you risk losing touch with your team members, missing important updates, and creating a sense of isolation and disengagement. Therefore, you should communicate with your team frequently and consistently, using a variety of channels and methods. For example, you can use email, chat, phone, or video calls for different purposes, such as sharing information, asking questions, giving feedback, or having casual conversations. You should also use a project management tool, such as Asana or Trello, to keep track of the progress and status of each task and project.

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Dr. Sophie Acker

Let’s solve the stress epidemic in orthodontics | Amsterdam-adopted Frenchy | 👧🏼 Mum
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The usage of a project management tool is good advice if your team is delivering common projects (as it would be if you don't work remote). If it is to enable you to track what people are doing, i am more in favor of: - adapting tools to experience (a task management tool might be useful for a super junior person, and would most probably be perceived as micro managing by senior people) - asking people what they prefer. remember, managing a team isn't about YOU, it is about THEM.

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3 Foster collaboration and trust

Another key aspect of managing a remote team is to foster a culture of collaboration and trust among your team members. This means encouraging them to work together, share ideas, support each other, and solve problems as a team. You can do this by creating opportunities for teamwork, such as assigning group projects, hosting brainstorming sessions, or facilitating peer feedback. You should also build trust by being transparent, honest, and respectful, and by showing interest and appreciation for your team members as individuals.

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4 Provide flexibility and autonomy

One of the benefits of working remotely is that it allows your team members to have more flexibility and autonomy over their work. This can boost their motivation, productivity, and satisfaction, as well as their work-life balance. However, this also requires you to respect their preferences, needs, and boundaries, and to avoid micromanaging or imposing rigid rules. You should give your team members the freedom to choose their own schedule, location, and work style, as long as they meet the expectations and deliver the results. You should also trust them to manage their own time, resources, and priorities, and to make their own decisions.

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Daniela Martea

Data & IT Operations Lead
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Entrust, delegate and check the outcome. Either provide the end target and allow creativity to reach it, or provide the path and discover together with your remote (or local) team the outcome(s). Communicate clearly, allow freedom and empower, that leads to outstanding results while micromanagement often provides the opposite results and poorer in productivity.

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Ruben Koolmees

Manager Program Consulting and Customer Success Asia Europe
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I've got personally great examples where remote work adds to productivity, trust, motivation and satisfaction. Though when remote work is employed, is it quite important to show and go though together on all performance metrics used to assess accountability later during the remote working together. A live dashboard that is updated every day is a great way to get feedback for the employee, and avoids micromanaging.

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5 Support learning and development

Managing a remote team also involves supporting the learning and development of your team members. This means providing them with the resources, tools, and guidance they need to improve their skills, knowledge, and performance. You can do this by offering them access to online courses, webinars, podcasts, or books, or by creating your own training materials or sessions. You should also encourage them to seek feedback, learn from their mistakes, and pursue their own goals and interests. By supporting their learning and development, you can help them grow professionally and personally, and enhance their confidence and competence.

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6 Celebrate achievements and have fun

Finally, managing a remote team also means celebrating the achievements and having fun with your team members. This can help you create a positive and engaging work environment, where your team members feel valued, recognized, and connected. You can do this by acknowledging and rewarding their efforts, accomplishments, and contributions, both individually and collectively. You can also organize fun and social activities, such as virtual games, quizzes, or happy hours, or by sharing personal stories, jokes, or memes. By celebrating and having fun, you can strengthen your team spirit, morale, and loyalty.

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Dr. Sophie Acker

Let’s solve the stress epidemic in orthodontics | Amsterdam-adopted Frenchy | 👧🏼 Mum
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Having fun is often overlooked when it comes to remote teams. From slack channels dedicated to memes, to cocktail evenings...everything is possible - even remote!

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best ways to manage a remote team effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set clear expectations

2 Communicate regularly and effectively

3 Foster collaboration and trust

4 Provide flexibility and autonomy

5 Support learning and development

6 Celebrate achievements and have fun

7 Here’s what else to consider

Coaching & Mentoring

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What are the best ways to manage a remote team effectively?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Set clear expectations

2 Communicate regularly and effectively

3 Foster collaboration and trust

4 Provide flexibility and autonomy

5 Support learning and development

6 Celebrate achievements and have fun

7 Here’s what else to consider

Coaching & Mentoring

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