How can you lead a cohesive team with remote members?

3 Foster collaboration and creativity

A third step to lead a cohesive team with remote members is to foster collaboration and creativity among your team. Collaboration and creativity are vital for program management, as they enable your team to generate ideas, solve problems, and deliver outcomes. However, remote work can make collaboration and creativity more difficult, as your team may face barriers such as distance, time zones, culture, and technology. To overcome these barriers, you should create a collaborative and creative culture, where your team can share knowledge, feedback, and resources, as well as participate in brainstorming, co-creation, and innovation activities. You should also leverage technology, such as online whiteboards, brainstorming tools, and project management software, to facilitate collaboration and creativity.

4 Recognize and reward performance

A fourth step to lead a cohesive team with remote members is to recognize and reward performance. Recognition and reward are important for program management, as they acknowledge your team's achievements, efforts, and contributions, as well as motivate them to continue and improve their performance. However, remote work can make recognition and reward more challenging, as your team may feel less visible, appreciated, and valued. To address this challenge, you should provide timely, specific, and meaningful recognition and reward to your team and each member, such as giving praise, feedback, appreciation, incentives, and opportunities. You should also celebrate milestones, successes, and learnings with your team, such as having virtual parties, games, or awards.

5 Build trust and rapport

A fifth step to lead a cohesive team with remote members is to build trust and rapport with your team and each member. Trust and rapport are essential for program management, as they enhance your team's cohesion, commitment, and performance. However, remote work can make trust and rapport more difficult, as your team may have less interaction, connection, and understanding with each other and with you. To build trust and rapport, you should show your team that you care about them, not only as professionals, but also as people. You should also encourage your team to get to know each other, not only as colleagues, but also as individuals. You can do this by creating opportunities for socializing, bonding, and fun, such as having virtual coffee breaks, icebreakers, or team-building activities.

6 Support and develop your team

A sixth and final step to lead a cohesive team with remote members is to support and develop your team and each member. Support and development are crucial for program management, as they enable your team to grow, learn, and excel in their roles and careers. However, remote work can make support and development more complex, as your team may have different needs, challenges, and aspirations. To provide support and development, you should understand your team's strengths, weaknesses, goals, and interests, as well as the opportunities and threats they face. You should also offer your team various forms of support and development, such as coaching, mentoring, training, feedback, and career guidance.