You’re managing a remote team. How can you build trust?

1 Set clear expectations

One of the first steps to building trust is to set clear and realistic expectations for your remote team. This means defining the scope, goals, roles, and responsibilities of each project, as well as the deadlines, deliverables, and feedback mechanisms. You should also communicate your expectations for how often and how you want your team to communicate, whether it's via email, chat, video call, or other tools. By setting clear expectations, you can avoid confusion, frustration, and misunderstandings, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

2 Communicate frequently and effectively

Another key factor for building trust is to communicate frequently and effectively with your remote team. Communication is vital for keeping your team informed, engaged, and aligned, as well as for providing support, feedback, and recognition. You should use a variety of communication channels and formats, such as text, audio, video, and visual, to suit different purposes and preferences. You should also make sure that your communication is clear, concise, and respectful, and that you avoid jargon, ambiguity, and assumptions. And don't forget to communicate the positive aspects of your team's work, such as achievements, milestones, and appreciation.

3 Collaborate and co-create

A great way to build trust with your remote team is to collaborate and co-create with them. Collaboration and co-creation are essential for industrial design, as they allow you to generate ideas, solve problems, and create solutions together. You can use various online tools and platforms, such as cloud-based software, digital whiteboards, and virtual reality, to facilitate collaboration and co-creation among your remote team. You should also encourage your team to share their opinions, perspectives, and feedback, and to listen and learn from each other. By collaborating and co-creating, you can foster a sense of belonging, ownership, and trust among your team members.

4 Be flexible and adaptable

Another tip to build trust with your remote team is to be flexible and adaptable. Flexibility and adaptability are important for industrial design, as they allow you to respond to changing needs, preferences, and situations. You should also be flexible and adaptable when it comes to managing your remote team, as they may have different working styles, preferences, and challenges. You should respect and accommodate their individual needs and preferences, such as their preferred working hours, communication styles, and feedback methods. You should also be open and willing to adjust your plans, processes, and expectations when necessary. By being flexible and adaptable, you can show your team that you trust them, respect them, and support them.

5 Build rapport and relationships

A final tip to build trust with your remote team is to build rapport and relationships with them. Rapport and relationships are important for industrial design, as they help you to understand your team members, clients, and stakeholders better, and to create more meaningful and relevant solutions. You should also build rapport and relationships with your remote team, as they help you to create a more human and personal connection, and to reduce the sense of isolation and distance. You can do this by showing interest and curiosity in your team members, by sharing personal stories and experiences, and by having fun and informal interactions. By building rapport and relationships, you can create a more friendly and trusting atmosphere among your team.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?