Leading a remote team can be a challenge when it comes to bringing everyone together and keeping communication consistent. In the tech world, there’s a focus on keeping up with software updates, new features and maintaining many complex processes. Managers must provide clarity, streamlined workflow, and strong communication to ensure that everyone is able to perform at their best.
While work-from-home or working remotely has proven to have its benefits, there are some disadvantages that come with it including social isolation, miscommunication, and other issues with ineffective collaboration. Each person’s strengths and weaknesses must be understood so that leaders can develop best practices to effectively manage the group.
Tips to Effectively Manage a Remote Tech Team
Whatever the team’s working situation is, it’s important to tailor your management style to what fits your remote team the best to promote success. Here are some tips to manage your tech team effectively.
1. Embrace and update your technology
With your team working remotely, it’s time to update the tech you’ve been using that will streamline workflow and facilitate communication. You might want to look into what programs are best for the team to communicate and collaborate with ease. Allow for easy video calls, check-ins, and ability to work on shared documents when it comes time for teamwork. Where your budget allows, invest in new software or apps to further help improve your remote employees’ working situation.
2. Create a clear and concise plan
Set clear goals and define how your team will be evaluated from the beginning. Formulate the expectations, deadlines, measures of success and project requirements clearly to every team member. Everyone should know what they will be working on and what their priorities are. It could be a good idea to do regular check-ins during each stage of the project to ensure that everything is running smoothly and use this as an opportunity for any questions or challenges that need to be addressed.
3. Have open and consistent communication
Make sure you keep communication lines open and encourage your team members to come to you for support if they need help. This is especially important for projects that require many members to work together to ensure that everyone is on track. Start a shared document to log important notes and updates so the team can refer to them when needed.
4. Show recognition and appreciation
While working remotely has its benefits, professionals may feel isolated and underappreciated. Show recognition for hard work among the team. Use 1:1’s to let your colleagues know that their efforts are noticed and appreciated, even if they’re not physically seen at the office every day. Be open to ideas and ask for feedback to continue improving the team’s synergy.
5. Host social virtual meetings during work hours
Bring people together in a non-work-related setting to allow for camaraderie and bonding time. Arranging these social meetings during work hours will also allow for team building and could be used as an opportunity to discuss potential innovations.
6. Trust and manage with empathy
Empathy will go a long way in managing your team effectively. When you come from a place of mutual understanding, people feel supported and comfortable to come to you when something important comes up. As your team works remotely, trust is important to not only allow your team members to feel like they are not being micromanaged, but also empowered to know they are accountable for the project at hand.
Working remotely has been embraced by many professionals in today’s world. Using your resources and implementing changes will be key to continue maintaining a successful work environment for your team.
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