4 Best practices for running a remote team

By Amanda Catarzi

When the Covid Virus first came on the scene in a America, many companies shifted to online platforms and adopted the work from home lifestyle as a temporary fix. With a second wave of the virus threatening our businesses and lifestyles, do you have the tools to ensure you can run a remote and effective team for an extended amount of time?

While working from home might have been a treat in the past, it’s now becoming the new normal for several companies due to the recent Covid crisis. Surrounded by pillows and typing away on your laptop in your pajamas may be a blast but how do you ensure your team is working just as efficient and hard as you are from your king-size bed? Don’t worry about putting real pants on, we will bring the answers to you!

There are many great pieces of advice out there and numerous viewpoints on this subject however we have managed to condense

that information into the four best practices for running a remote team:

1. Create Clear Guidelines

Working from home provides your employees with a lot of fantastic freedoms, therefore it’s important to be clear where the guidelines are. Is there a specific time you’d like for everyone to be clocked in and working so that you can collaborate? Do you have a morning or afternoon huddle scheduled for accountability? What are the requirements for virtual meetings - Video on or off? Though these details may seem silly to some, it’s in small details and habits that productivity is built upon.

2. Provide the Tools Needed

Having the right tools to get a job done is big for productivity. Your team will feel supported and valued when they are given what they need to be successful. As a leader, make sure programs are up to date and subscriptions paid for. If one of your employees does not have reliable internet access, consider enabling HotSpot on their work phone. Practically supporting your team with what they require to get the job done (within reason of course) is a great way to ensure they will give you the results you want.

3. Avoid Micro-Managing

This might be a tough one for some leaders, especially during such chaotic circumstances. The pressure is high to yield a revenue flow and you may

Team Building

be tempted to micro-manage your team. Nothing kills production flow or creative energy like overbearing control. If you find the temptation too much to bear, shift your focus to outcomes instead of an activity. Are the tasks being completed well and in a timely order? If yes, does it matter when or how? You might find this new approach refreshing and even more successful than your previous, in office management style.

4. Be Accessible and Available

While I’m sure you’ve built yourself a pretty self-reliant team, there are bound to be issues within this new structure and climate that will need your attention. Being accessible and available to your team will be paramount during this time. Not only will you be able to put out potential fires and nip issues in the bud as soon as they arise, you’ll be able to inspire and support your team on a different level than ever before. This could look like having “open-door” times when your team members can video chat or call you if they need to run something by you or need your input on a particular task. Get creative, be flexible, and keep those communication lines open!

While we are experiencing new challenges it is important to remember that you are working with a group of humans. These humans may be affected by these changes in any number of ways. As a leader, it is vital to understand how your team members are individually impacted by the current state of the world and how to help them navigate those obstacles so that they can be the best versions of themselves for you and your organization. While this may sound like a large task, it starts with simply taking the time to care and listen. This by far is the greatest piece of advice we can give you as a leader. The more people feel safe, cared for, and supported, the more they’re willing to give of themselves. Building a strong remote team can feel a lot like herding cats but we hope the information above will help you become a better leader.

References: Managing a Remote Team: 7 Best Practices. (n.d.). Retrieved July 04, 2020, from https://monday.com/blog/remotework/7-best-practices-managing-remoteteam/

McKendrick, J. (2020, April 09). 7 Tips For Managing Working-From-Home Teams, From An All-Remote Company. Retrieved July 04, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/ joemckendrick/2020/04/09/7- tips-for-managing-working-fromhome-teams-from-an-all-remotecompany/

Aten, J. (2020, March 16). 7 Tips for Successfully Managing Remote Teams. Retrieved July 04, 2020, from https://www.inc.com/jasonaten/7-tips-for-working-fsuccessfullymanaging-remote-teams. html

MMA Fighter to Federal Legislation Writer. Trauma Art Therapist at a refugee camp in Asia to Fundraising Specialist at a VIP Super Bowl party. Amanda has worn many hats and found herself in many different roles but her goal has always been the same; to fight for the oppressed and bring value to everyone she encounters. Saying ‘yes’ where others might have said ‘no’ has given her many unique opportunities, relationships, and experiences. She has worked undercover with anti-sex trafficking organizations, created peacekeeping agreements between war generals, written bi-partisan federal legislation, and now runs the Marketing Agency, InkeryCo.