6 Steps to Successfully Run Your Team Remotely

After speaking to a number of Hiring Managers over the past few days, everyone seems to have a different approach to working as a team during self-isolation. For a lot of you working from home is common practice, however for those who make the daily commute to central offices, self-isolation can be a shock to the system. By implementing just a few simple strategies, can be the difference between diving, surviving or thriving as a business. Every business has its own strategy, and if that works for you and your team then that’s great. But, if you haven’t got a plan in place, or any protocols for working from home, here are just a few ideas to get you started…

Protocols

Set out the protocols you are going to enforce from the outset. The sooner these are enforced, the better. Explicitly set out your expectations, such as working hours and explain the importance of self-discipline. For many, working from home is unfamiliar, and it’s important to set out a clear routine and maintain the office mindset within a home environment.

See to the right an example of working from home protocols you could roll out to your team!

Stay in regular contact!

With external communication tools, such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Skype, it’s easy to hold regular team meetings, to debrief at the end of each day, highlight daily achievements and express ongoing concerns. Strong communication leads to improved instructions, goals and general performance expectations. Set an allocated time for these contact sessions, with the expectation that all staff must be involved.

Highlight the positive outcomes from each day

It's important to keep staff morale high. Self-isolation can lead to a number of emotional strains. Humans are sociable beings, and positive interactions will be needed to maintain a positive mental attitude. Create a working document for each individual to complete towards the end of each day, highlighting 3 successes achieved that day. These should be shared, discussed and praised with the rest of the team. Sharing individual success stories helps people to feel valued within the workplace. Gratitude and appreciation will also increase motivation, leading to greater overall productivity.

Keep the spirits high!

It’s important to keep the high spirits flowing! With daily office chit chat out of the question, its important for your employees to keep the communication flowing. If this means allowing more time during the meeting to all discuss something outside of ‘work’ (yes, there is more to be discussed than COVID-19!) then so be it! High employee morale has been linked to enhanced motivation, increased productivity and stress reduction.

Keep things as ‘normal’ as possible

Working from home for a lot of individuals can mean huge changes to the way daily tasks are executed. If your employees are used to being out on the road, meeting clients, or presenting to large audiences, self-isolation and working from home is likely to be a hinderance. It is important to try and make the transition as easy and effortless as possible. For example, ensuring staff have access to two screens if that is what they are used to, making accessibility to software and company CRMs available and stress-free.

Promote the importance of daily exercise and activity

Exercise doesn’t just have physical benefits, there is evidence that it also boosts mental abilities such as enhanced creativity, sharper memory and improved concentration. Exercise is also associated with decreased levels of stress and anxiety. Stressed employees have trouble focusing, thinking clearly and making rational decisions. Regularly highlighting the benefits to your employees of getting a sweat on, rather than reaching for the biscuit tin, will be nothing more than a positive message to reinforce.