How to Engage the Remote Team: It's Not All That Different from What You Need to Do in the Office

Engaging a remote team requires effort and an understanding of limitations, much like in an office setting. Simply turning on the video camera during your Zoom meetings won't suffice. While it's nice to see the faces of your team members, this device can quickly wear off or even become a distraction, especially during presentations when the focus should be on the message and content.

A common mistake I've observed is multitasking, especially the overreliance on chat and provided external links while simultaneously presenting a topic. This practice encourages distraction. Instead, it's essential to control the narrative and focus. When I share documents, I ensure a timely display of the specific part we're discussing, leaving no room for doubt about the topic and discussion focus. However, be aware that some will still attempt to multitask, so it's crucial to keep the discussion engaging and directly relevant.

Another piece of advice: smaller meetings lead to more meaningful engagements. If a broader audience is necessary, consider recording the meeting and sharing the recording afterwards. Use the core group as a sounding board to foster engagement and make it representative.

Be proactive in managing potential disruptions. If you anticipate that someone might hijack the meeting, set boundaries early on or, in extreme cases, consider not inviting the individual likely to cause a disruption.

Having many disengaged multitaskers in a meeting can give a false impression of a large audience participation when, in reality, you might be talking to very few. Engaging participants directly by mentioning their name or asking them specific questions can help but will feel a bit back-to-school if forced. For those who might find attending the meeting in real-time less productive, listening to the recording at an increased speed or being directed to relevant parts of the meeting can be, in fact, far more efficient.

Aside of the virtual meetings, it's crucial to understand what works best for you in a virtual setting and communicate this to your colleagues, finding a compromise that suits everyone. For instance, if continuous inquiries and chat room activity disrupt your productivity, make this known and establish specific times when you're available for those interruptions. Make sure this is not a 24/7 thing turning you into a firefighter for others while you struggle to deliver.

Those who frequently interrupt others for urgent matters should recognize not everyone thrives in a crisis mode. Some roles require extended periods of focused uninterrupted effort. And its mutual - it's important to manage your priorities without imposing your crises on others.

As a leader, understanding your team's capabilities and adjusting your management style accordingly is essential. Recognizing each team member's optimal performance needs and managing work style conflicts are key to finding the best solutions for your team.

And finally, avoid bias in decision-making; what works for you might not be the most efficient approach for everyone.