Are the challenges of leading remote teams unique? What does it take to lead remote teams well?

Leadership in any context is challenging. So, what are the key challenges associated with remote leadership? What strategies are effective, and what type of leaders succeed most often in these environments?

It’s interesting to note that challenges leading a remote team aren’t necessarily unique — but they do show up as a bit disorienting, feeling like they take more time, and possibly more complex in ways uncommon in shared workspaces.

Here’s our view of the first key challenge, communication,  and some best practice for leaders of remote teams:

Communication:

   Not sharing space can often make communication more difficult, time-consuming, and can sometimes unintentionally move into a more formal approach than normal.

   The loss of the more spontaneous and informal communication is especially important - because without non-verbal signs and signals (which are usually played down, even on a video call), interpreting the meaning of just words or intention, could lead to misunderstanding.

Changing communication channels doesn’t mean limiting communication

   You don’t have a coffee run to do, or a lunchtime chat; you’re not going out for a drink when you finish, but that doesn’t mean your team should be less informed or connected.

   What might impact in a very negative way however,is unplanned, infrequent, vague, unpredictable communication, and although this is true for all environments, it’s even more the case when you’re not physically with the people you’re working with.

   Its critical to make it clear with your team that communication is a priority for you, and them. As a leader, you need to quickly establish a rhythm of communication, using various methods from formal to informal, that ensures personal connection

   It’s important to remind and reinforce goals, purpose, progress, feedback, challenges and successes even more frequently than you would do face to face – it’s surprising how quickly people lose purpose without group engagement and support around them

   Set up Pulse Surveys to make sure your communication channels are two way, for both 1-1 and as a group…..it’s still important for your team members to be able to say “can I have a quick word” on a 1-1 basis, as it is to join in with group meetings.

   Check out theREAPnetwork for quick, trackable, tailored & faff-free surveys that will help you stay connected with your teams www.reapnetwork.co.uk – contact us to get you set up quickly and easily…

   And Finally - people want to know that they’re progressing - and having that sense of progress is highly motivating. As part of your communication tactics, use technology and visuals to create clarity that makes it clear where the team stands at any given moment.

   What’s working?

   What’s not working?

   What’s the next step?

   Clarity on progress is especially key for remote teams to maintain a sense of purpose.

If you’d like to talk more, please contact us at:

Specific Learning & Coaching

01604 212734