How to Become the Ultimate Remote Workforce Leader

As remote work has become more common over the past couple of years, you may be experiencing challenges leading a team without having that in-person interaction. But with so many companies taking the fully remote route, knowing how to lead in this environment is essential to recruiting and retaining employees. Below are a few tips you should consider in order to successfully manage a team of fully remote workers.

Be Comfortable

The basics to leading a successful remote workforce are to make sure that you and your team are comfortable and have the right equipment to get the work done. Creating an enjoyable and fully equipped home office space leads to increased productivity and more focus during work hours.

Things to include in a home office are a desk, ergonomic chair, personal decorations, and plenty of natural light. If you or your team members are struggling to find dedicated space at home to work, whether it be due to multiple remote workers in the household or a lack of quiet separation from family, guiding your team on how to establish this space can go a long way in employee effectiveness. Given that the home office is the permanent workspace for a fully remote worker, it is worth investing in minimal home improvements.

Professional soundproofing can be a savior for employees with kids, and permanent room dividers can maximize a space when sharing it with other remote workers. A standing desk can also offer variety without taking up more room. A home-office stipend can help cover these one-time investments if your company offers them. If larger changes are necessary, a home equity line of credit could be a wise suggestion as it can be tax-deductible when used on home improvements.

Be Flexible

If your company allows it, be open to flexible scheduling for your employees to balance their home life and their work schedule, especially for those who have children home during holiday and summer breaks. Another way to be flexible is to adapt to various communication styles. Allowing employees to communicate in a variety of ways can positively impact retention. There are plenty of dedicated tools available to support those who prefer instant messaging communication and those who prefer video or phone calls.

Flexibility shows your employees that you trust them to get the job done while acknowledging that they have a life outside of work. Maintaining a quality work-life balance is crucial when it comes to employee happiness. Being able to provide and maintain a sustainable balance is important not only to the employee but also to the company – it will lead to higher productivity and retention rates.

Encourage Communication

One of the most obvious challenges while leading a fully remote team is communication. Luckily, there are plenty of apps to help make remote conversations as simple and effective as possible. Programs like Zoom and Slack make communication easy without sacrificing efficiency or quality. Utilizing these tools will ensure that your employees can ask any questions or make any comments in a “face-to-face” environment.

An idea that has worked for many teams is a weekly “happy hour.” This gives your remote employees an opportunity to get to know each other better and feel more comfortable reaching out to each other during normal work hours. Encourage communication as often as you can. Lead by example and engage with your remote team as much as possible.

Be Patient

A fully remote work environment can be a huge adjustment for some employees. It is easy to get overwhelmed in a remote work environment if you or your employees are not tech-savvy. Offering proper training for the programs your company uses is a great way to make employees feel at ease and will make the transition to remote work smoother.

The remote work environment is here to stay, so it is important to ensure that as a higher-up, you know how to properly lead your team when you are deprived of in-person interactions. Taking advantage of these tips will make your life as a remote leader as easy as possible.