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July 14, 2023 Remote Hiring

Remote Teams Best Practices That Every Leader Must Know

Leader implementing remote teams best practices during a video conference.
A dedicated leader employing remote teams best practices for seamless collaboration.

Hello, intrepid explorers of the digital work terrain! It’s your trusted tech advisor, Benji, here. I’m giddy as a kid in a tech store ready to share precious nuggets of wisdom on Managing Remote Teams Best Practices! So, buckle up, make sure your WiFi is stable, and let’s embark on this voyage of remote team management insights.

Why Care About Managing Remote Teams?

Alright, before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s address the digital elephant in the room. Why should we even care about managing remote teams? Well, friends, remote work is not just a passing fad. It’s here to stay, like those pre-installed apps on your phone, you never use but can’t delete.

According to McKinsey & Company, a mind-boggling 58% of the U.S. workforce can work from home at least once a week, and 35% have the luxury to do so five days a week! We’re talking about an enormous shift from the traditional office environment to the comfortable confines of our homes.

  • Attract top-tier talent worldwide, not just your neighborhood Bob or Betty.
  • Save a mini fortune on overhead costs. Seriously, you can save an average of $11,000 a year for every remote employee!
  • Flexible work schedule? Yes, please! Reduced commuting, better work-life balance, less daily stress – it’s like a work paradise!
  • Enhanced team productivity. Contrary to popular belief, working in pajamas does not make one lazy.

“In the future, there will be no female leaders. There will just be leaders.” Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO,

once said this. Replace ‘female’ with ‘remote,’ and you get the gist of what your tech buddy Benji is trying to convey. The future is remote, my friends!

Now, the question is, are you ready to embrace this future or stand by the sidelines? If it’s the former, keep reading to get equipped with some crucial remote team management skills.

Real Life Lessons: A Tech Startup’s Remote Team Management Story

Let’s look at Later Media, a marketing platform for Instagram, which took the bold leap into the remote work landscape even before the pandemic hit. The company, whose team is scattered across numerous time zones, came up with clever strategies to keep everyone rowing the boat in the same direction.

One of Later’s key strategies was altering the traditional work week. Mondays and Fridays were kept for independent work, while Tuesdays to Thursdays were chosen for collaborative tasks. Meetings were scheduled during these days, making sure no one from any time zone was left out.

  • Asynchronous communication was adopted with a ‘threads first’ methodology, reducing meeting numbers and allowing everyone to focus better.
  • Slack was used not only for work-related discussions but also for non-work-related banter, creating a sense of community among remote workers.
  • Personal interactions were encouraged with ‘donut meetings,’ where team members are randomly paired to have casual conversations. It’s like catching up over donuts, minus the donuts and face-to-face interaction.

Isn’t it radical how Later’s experimentation with managing remote teams led them to innovative, productivity-enhancing methodologies? As Bill Gates rightly quipped, “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity – not a threat.” As you navigate managing your remote team, consider this a golden opportunity for innovation.

Now, let’s deep dive into some actionable strategies that you can whip out from your tech toolbox while managing remote teams.

Decoding the Mystery: Managing Remote Teams Best Practices

Buckle up, tech explorers! We’re about to decode the mystery surrounding managing remote teams. Here are some best practices that can prove to be a guiding North Star in your remote team management voyage.

  • Create a robust set of ground rules. Just like no pirate crew thrived without a pirate code, your remote team also needs a clear set of rules to navigate the digital seas smoothly.
  • Don’t forget to check in daily. It helps to combat the three L’s that often plague remote workers – Loneliness, Listlessness, and Lack of communication.
  • Invest in the right communication channels. Emails are a dinosaur-type. Embrace holistic communication tools that streamline video conferencing, messaging, and file sharing.
  • Set crystal clear expectations. No one likes to wander in a foggy forest, right? Similarly, don’t let your team grope in the dark. Define tasks, set deadlines, and illustrate the big picture.
  • Adapt to different time zones and work hours. Remember, your Sydney-based member won’t appreciate a Zoom meeting invite during their bedtime.

“As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.” Bill Gates hit the bull’s eye with this profound observation. As a leader managing a remote team, your mission should be to empower each member and create an environment where they can thrive.

Hooray! We’ve reached the end of our engaging expedition on managing remote team’s best practices. It’s time for you to don your tech hats and start implementing these insights.

Further Reading and Exploring

Benji
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