Some experts, including Mark Zuckerberg, believe that remote working makes employees more productive and well-rested. Many others argue that the work-from-home transition is challenging and reduces productivity by weakening team coordination and workforce morale. The truth is, both approaches undermine the significance of leadership skills in steering remote teams towards normalcy and productivity.
The work-from-home shift is emerging as an eternal reality. Moving away from brick and mortar offices offers numerous advantages. Businesses can build sustainable, digitally-driven, cost-effective models by embracing the remote workplace, but this approach demands effective leadership.
Keep reading to explore practical strategies to lead your remote team with dynamic leadership.
Adopting a Remote-Focused Leadership Style
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world as we knew it, introducing new norms and transforming corporate cultures worldwide. However, the trajectory of digital innovations over the last decade reveals that the remote workplace isn’t a sudden transformation. The rise of online skill-based job-hunting marketplaces has supported freelancers worldwide, giving organizations access to global talent pools.
While some businesses and corporate sections embraced remote talent acquisition much earlier, others were compelled by the pandemic. The gradual shift toward the remote workplace was always an eventuality, and corporate leaders must prepare themselves for this change. Leadership styles and HR strategies that worked in the office do not ensure results in the remote workplace.
Leaders must reassess their leadership styles and understand the shifting dynamics of a digitally-driven remote workplace. Accommodating and adapting to change is never easy, but leaders must readily embrace emerging technologies and shifting consumer demands. We advise pursuing a leadership online certificate program to expand your skill set with digital literacy and corporate strategy.
Online certifications are ideally suited to the needs of busy professionals who cannot make burdensome academic commitments. A comprehensive program can help you cultivate executive leadership competencies to drive remote teams towards productivity by overcoming challenges. Learning from renowned industry experts can help you efficiently mobilize and motivate your team to embrace the remote transition.
Identifying & Overcoming Challenges
Most managers naively assume that the work-from-home transition has made jobs considerably easier for their subordinates. It’s common for managers to bombard employees with work because they believe they’re always relaxing on a couch. Since employees no longer work directly under their watch, managers assume they’re not working enough. These assumptions cripple the team’s morale due to an underappreciation of their contributions and work-from-home challenges.
While the bed is usually 2-feet away for most work-from-home employees, the transition isn’t as easy and enjoyable as most assume. The lines between homely comfort and a clean workstation are blurred, resulting in more stress and less relaxation. Losing the formal etiquette of the workplace and peer support has created scores of challenges for employees in remote environments. The lack of accountability, transparency, peer engagement, and workplace culture leads to demotivation and disengagement.
Leaders must understand and eliminate these challenges to boost employee morale and motivation by deepening their engagement. Investing in an efficient and savvy project management tool is crucial to ensure active communication and coordination between remote teams. Virtual conferences and data-sharing can eliminate the lack of face-to-face supervision and provide employees access to information. In order to effectively lead a team that is not in the same physical space, leaders need to be able to communicate clearly and confidently. Attending training in public speaking can help leaders learn how to craft an engaging message and deliver it in a way that mobilizes and inspires their team. The training programs and workshops help them to overcome the challenges of communicating over video conferencing platforms, such as overcoming background noise or dealing with technical difficulties.
Scheduling Daily Check-ins
Employees worldwide are struggling with social isolation and at-home distractions, rendering them unable to work or spend time with their loved ones. Instead of flooding them with work and assignments, managers should take impactful measures to help overcome social isolation.
For instance, managers and leaders can host virtual meetings and feedback sessions to get employees to contribute to key decision-making processes. Regular communication is essential to keep track of all team members’ well-being and health. Scheduling daily check-ins are crucial to staying in touch with all your employees. This undertaking isn’t easy; therefore, you can divide the duties with other managers and executives.
Take Advantage of Technology
The remote workplace is powered by a wealth of digital tools and solutions that enable active communication, coordination, and peer engagement. However, it all boils down to the purposes that leaders intend to fulfill using digital innovations. For instance, businesses invest in remote monitoring systems to regulate efficiency and productivity. These remote monitoring systems negatively reflect your employer’s brand and internal HR management processes.
Employees have the prerogative to enjoy their freedom in the remote workplace, and virtual monitoring violates their privacy. Modern-day professionals have a strong individualistic ethos, and remote monitoring tools disrespect their values by causing discomfort. Instead, businesses can explore project management and virtual communication solutions to keep employees on board with all changes and activities.
Many companies have designed in-house project management solutions to shift the burden of accountability and deadline management onto the employees. Making employees self-accountable and disciplined with firm deadline management regulations is better than cramping their comfort and freedom.
Final Thoughts
Managers and executives need to do away with the mindset that employees are always basking around while working remotely. The transition to the remote workplace has proven immensely challenging for professionals worldwide. And leaders must reassess their management styles to lead remote teams towards enhanced productivity and engagement.
It’s wise to invest in technological innovations and digital tools that improve coordination and engagement. The work-from-home trend is here to stay, and adapting to its many changes is crucial to reap lucrative advantages. Businesses have much to gain by transitioning to the remote workplace.
