3 Tips to Leading a Remote Team

If your company is operating remotely, it’s important to maintain your team’s productivity, motivation, and positivity. Managing a remote team can be challenging, and maybe a first for many business leaders, but it’s possible to keep growing your team while you’re apart. Here are three tips from Pinnacle to keep in mind as you lead your team:

1. Communicate Frequently

It will be tempting to micromanage your team, but instead place your effort into communicating often. If you’ve hired the right people, you should trust that your employees have the skills and drive to work hard and try their best–no matter what the circumstances.

Remember that emails and phone calls are good, but video is best. If you can, establish a weekly video check-in with each of your teammates individually to help them stay motivated and feel supported. As a manager, that’s your number one priority during this time.

2. Find Flexibility

As the COVID-19 situation progresses, you need to be flexible and adapt. Your team has plenty of new obstacles to overcome, and while it isn’t an excuse for missed deadlines, it’s important to be adaptable.

Many of your employees, and perhaps you as well, are homeschooling their children for the first time. Right now, their regular nine-to-five day might not be possible. Work closely with your team and create a work environment that affords them the freedom and flexibility to get their tasks done while juggling the other human obstacles of remote work-life balance. Your trust and flexibility will make a difference, both now and in the future.

3. Prioritize Togetherness

While your team is social distancing, it’s easy to feel isolated and lonely. To avoid this, there are plenty of fun things your office team can do. Try establishing a once-a-week “Work-From-Home Happy Hour”, or throw a virtual pizza party. Create an email thread just for fun memes, photos, or movie and podcast suggestions. While these ideas may seem like silly distractions, they help keep your office culture alive.

Pinnacle Stays Positive

Managing a remote team brings unique challenges, but it’s also a unique opportunity for growth. If you bring a creative approach to these new obstacles, your team will grow in unexpected ways that can pay enormous future dividends.

Pinnacle Consulting & Recruitment in Pittsburgh is here to support your team, call us at 412-343-6300 or email us at admin@paf-resources.com.