You’re managing a team remotely. How can you make sure they’re staying productive?

1 Set clear goals and expectations

One of the first steps to managing a team remotely is to define the goals and expectations for each project, task, and role. You should communicate these clearly and frequently to your team, using tools like email, chat, video calls, or project management software. You should also establish how you will measure and track the progress and performance of your team, and how you will provide feedback and recognition. By setting clear goals and expectations, you can help your team stay focused, motivated, and accountable.

3 Provide the right tools and resources

As a system administrator, you know how important it is to have the right tools and resources for your work. You should ensure that your team has access to the software, hardware, data, and support they need to perform their tasks remotely. You should also provide them with training and guidance on how to use these tools and resources effectively and securely. You should also be aware of the potential challenges and risks of remote work, such as network issues, cyberattacks, or data breaches, and have contingency plans and backup systems in place.

4 Foster a culture of trust and autonomy

One of the benefits of remote work is that it allows your team to have more flexibility and autonomy over their work. However, this also requires a high level of trust and responsibility from both you and your team. You should trust your team to manage their time, workload, and priorities, and avoid micromanaging or controlling them. You should also empower your team to make decisions, solve problems, and learn from their mistakes. You should also respect your team's work-life balance, and avoid imposing unrealistic deadlines, expectations, or demands.

5 Support your team's well-being and development

Finally, you should not forget that your team is composed of human beings, who have their own needs, preferences, and challenges. You should support your team's well-being and development, by showing empathy, appreciation, and recognition. You should also provide them with feedback, coaching, and mentoring, and help them grow their skills and knowledge. You should also encourage them to take care of their physical and mental health, and to seek help when they need it. By supporting your team's well-being and development, you can boost their morale, engagement, and productivity.

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?