74% of employees feel happier when they work remotely. The reasons vary from not having to commute to having more flexibility and spending more time with their families.

Embrace remote working using the best practices from an entirely remote working company.

Managing remote teams: Best Practices

The workplace of today is transforming rapidly with the rise of remote working. This new way of working can be a source of efficiency and productivity for businesses. It can also allow employers to attract and retain talented staff, reduce overhead costs, and increase employee engagement. In order to successfully manage a remote team, however, there are some key best practices to keep in mind.

Establish Trust and Transparency

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful remote team and should be established from the start. Establishing trust requires consistency in communication, openness regarding expectations, and transparency in decision–making. Leaders should create an environment of psychological safety to encourage open and honest dialogue, as well as ensure that everyone is involved in the decision–making process.

Leverage Technology

For remote teams to be successful, they must rely on the right technology. Video conferencing tools are essential and can help create a sense of connection among team members. Communication tools such as Slack and Microsoft Teams can be used to facilitate asynchronous communication, while task management tools like Asana, Trello, and Basecamp are great for organizing tasks, tracking progress, and keeping everyone on the same page.

Set Clear Goals and Objectives

For remote teams to function effectively, it’s important for leaders to set realistic and clear goals and objectives. Goals should be measurable and achievable so that team members have a sense of ownership and a better understanding of their roles. Additionally, goals should be aligned with the company’s larger mission and vision to create cohesion and mutual understanding.

Communicate Frequently

To ensure that remote teams stay connected and on the same page, communication should be frequent and clear. This can range from scheduled check–ins with individual team members to daily, weekly, and monthly team meetings. Additionally, it’s important to stay connected on a personal level and make sure to check–in and ask about each team member’s well–being on a regular basis.

Focus on Results

When it comes to remote teams, it’s easy to focus on how much time someone is spending on a task, rather than the outcome of the task itself. Leaders should focus on the results that team members are achieving and celebrate their successes, rather than the amount of time they’re spending on a task.

Promote Collaboration

Remote teams can often feel disconnected from one another. To promote collaboration and communication, leaders should encourage team members to work together on projects, foster an environment of creativity, and allow teams to experiment and learn from their mistakes.

Manage Unwritten Expectations

Leaders should also manage expectations around remote working, especially those that go beyond the written job description. For instance, team members may be expected to occasionally work over the weekend or respond to emails outside of normal office hours. This can be especially exhausting for remote workers, so leaders should be aware of these expectations and create boundaries to help team members stay energized and focused.

Managing remote teams can be challenging, but with the right preparation and understanding of best practices, it is possible to create an effective and successful remote team. Establishing trust and transparency, leveraging technology, setting clear goals and objectives, and promoting collaboration are just a few of the key best practices for remote team management. With these tips in mind, leaders can successfully build a thriving remote company.