Managing Remote Teams: Best Practices for 2025!

Do you remember back in 2020 when we thought we would be done with this whole "Managing remote teams" business by the end of the year? Fun times. We are turning the page on another calendar year and as 2024 makes way for 2025, remote team management doesn't seem to be going anywhere, anytime soon. The popularity of remote work models only seems to be growing with each passing day.

As exciting as the developments in remote workforce models are, managing remote teams does have various intricacies. There is great freedom in managing virtual teams. If that freedom is supported by trust, effective performance management, viable employee engagement strategies, and mutual respect, the sky is the limit for an organization working with a remote model.

It is time to let you in on our tips and best practices for managing remote teams!

How do you manage and lead remote teams?

Set clear goals and set them clearly

The first step in managing remote teams is to establish clear expectations. This includes setting goals and deadlines, defining roles and responsibilities, and outlining communication protocols. It is important to ensure that everyone on the team understands the expectations and is held accountable for meeting them. One of the best ways of practicing goal-setting is through OKRs.

Connection through recognition

This can be done by providing regular opportunities for team members to connect and collaborate, such as virtual meetings and video conferencing. When managing remote teams, it is important to ensure that team members feel supported and valued.

One of the best ways to show that support goes through practicing employee recognition. Remote employee recognition is a massive part of managing remote teams. If you are a leader, tasked with managing remote teams then there are some incredible remote employee recognition tools out there in the market today.

Invest in the right tools

When managing remote teams, leaders should ensure that team members have the necessary tools and resources to be successful. This includes providing access to the necessary technology, such as laptops, software, and other tools. Investing in performance management software might be one of the best courses of action when one is attempting to manage a remote workforce.

Deciding what to look for in performance management software might be hard. Every organization has its own unique set of needs. There are, however, three central features you should take into consideration:

• Customization
• Integration
• Ease-of-use

Your performance management system should be able to fit into your day-to-day operations and assist you in managing remote teams. You shouldn't have to guide your virtual teams through minutes upon minutes of tutorial footage.

Don't be a stranger

Absence may make the heart grow fonder but too much of it and you will lose track of the remote workforce you are managing. Weekly check-ins with your team should be a crucial part of your remote employee management strategies.

You can conduct these check-ins through virtual meetings, video conferencing, one-on-one meetings, or even phone calls.

These check-ins are important to ensure that team members are on track and to provide support and guidance when needed. Remote work can be an isolating experience. Practicing weekly employee check-ins takes away that sense of isolation on a weekly basis!

Conclusion

All in all, even though remote teams come with their own set of challenges it also offers an unprecedented level of opportunities for a more flexible and diverse way of working. Whether it is talent acquisition, productivity, or profits, remote work is a powerful tool that anyone can benefit from utilizing in the dynamic landscape of the modern world.

The success in managing remote teams will be up to your ability to curate the right team, provide the right tools and resources, and cultivate a sense of connection and open communication. As the professional space continues to evolve, mastering the art of remote team management will be crucial for the longevity of your success.