What do you do if your remote team is disengaged and unproductive?

1 Assess the situation

The first step is to understand the root causes of your team's disengagement and unproductivity. Is it due to personal or professional factors? Are they facing technical difficulties, unclear expectations, or conflicting priorities? Do they feel disconnected from their colleagues, managers, or the organization's vision and values? You can use surveys, feedback tools, or one-on-one meetings to gather information and insights from your team members. Be empathetic and respectful, and listen to their concerns and suggestions.

2 Set clear and realistic goals

The next step is to align your team's goals with the organization's objectives and strategy. Make sure that your team members know what is expected of them, how their work contributes to the bigger picture, and how they will be measured and rewarded. Use SMART criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) to define and communicate your team's goals. Provide regular updates, feedback, and recognition to your team members, and celebrate their achievements and milestones.

3 Provide the right tools and support

The third step is to ensure that your team has the necessary tools and support to work effectively and efficiently. This includes reliable and secure technology, such as laptops, software, VPNs, and cloud services. It also includes adequate training, coaching, and mentoring, especially for new or inexperienced team members. You can also create a remote work policy that outlines the best practices, expectations, and norms for working remotely, such as working hours, communication channels, and collaboration tools.

4 Foster a sense of community

The fourth step is to build and maintain a strong and positive team culture, even when you are not physically together. You can use various methods to foster a sense of community and belonging among your team members, such as virtual team meetings, social events, games, or chat groups. You can also encourage informal communication, feedback, and recognition among your team members, and create opportunities for them to share their ideas, opinions, and experiences.

6 Evaluate and improve

The final step is to monitor and evaluate your team's engagement and productivity levels, and make adjustments as needed. You can use various metrics and indicators, such as performance reviews, feedback surveys, or data analytics, to measure and track your team's progress and results. You can also solicit and act on feedback from your team members, and involve them in the decision-making and improvement processes. You can also seek external help, such as consultants, coaches, or experts, to enhance your team's performance and morale.

7 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?