2020 brought more new challenges, fears, experiences, and changes than we ever thought possible, and all at once. As of March of this year, almost all companies had either started remote working or were on their way to this new way of working. Most leaders and organizations were not prepared to radically change their processes with such a short turnaround.
Quickly, we saw the leaders that were prepared to take on this unique challenge as well as the leaders that struggled, and still struggle, to understand how to navigate this new world.
Personally, I have been waiting for an opportunity to work remotely (wasn’t expecting it to be due to a pandemic) and to showcase that remote working is a much needed evolution that organizations and leaders need to embrace. With a feeling that full remote work was coming, I took it as an opportunity to research and prepare for what would become a newly evolving leadership skill.
When it comes to remote working, you have to ensure that your employees know that you are there for them. Even though you are not physically with them every workday, or able to come up to their desk, or invite them into your office, etc., you need to showcase that they are not “out of sight, out of mind.” This is actually an opportunity for you to bring your team closer than ever before.
Clear communication and setting expectations for your team early is going to be key. By sending an email prior to our first day of remote work laying out the expectations I had for my team, what to expect from me and ultimately that their role is not changing, I was able to mitigate any concerns around doing what they do best, but finding a way to do it comfortably at home.
Here are a few ideas on how to successfully lead remotely:
- Set expectations immediately- What are your expectations? What can the team expect from you? (I.e. response time, working hours, etc.).
- Increase your 1:1s with your direct reports (weekly, then move to monthly as comfort level increases)
- Add weekly or bi-weekly virtual happy hours for your team – utilize this time to have fun and collaborate – try a Kahoot!
- Find a way to bring the things that you did in the office (team huddles, team meetings, etc) virtually – I love Google Drive to add a visual element to our goals!
- Check in with your team regularly through ping, calls, emails, etc. – ensure they know you are there and you are going to help them be successful! Turn your camera on as often as possible and encourage the same for your team.
- Ask them how they are feeling and how they are doing personally and professional – remember we are all human. Lead with empathy.
If you take anything away from this as a ‘must-do’, always lead with compassion and keep the human element involved. In such a circumstance, your team is going through a lot and likely dealing with remote work while also having their kids, animals, and/or significant others around them. Be sympathetic to the situation and sometimes start simply by listening. Help them find a babysitter, give them ideas on how to have a quiet space, help them prioritize their time. There are so many ways that you can support your associates as they build the skills to successfully work remote.
While not an expert in this area, I have been successfully leading remotely for almost six months and will continue to do so into the new year. I’ve been recognized throughout Gartner for my remote leadership and wanted to share what has been working for my team. It’s a lot of trial and error, but if your team knows that you are there for them and you care about their success…that’s the first step to successful leadership of any kind!
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