Distributed teams need more leadership attention than employees working in the office.

Surging technology usage and rapidly changing work paradigms have made business leaders’ roles more critical than ever in how to build and lead teams. The need for a prodigious leadership has become more demanding to lead distributed teams or remote workers. However, there is no any magic bullet to become an effective leader overnight but thinking innovatively, strategically and collaboratively can be game changing. Many new generation employees seek flexibility in the workforce that remote working provides.

Employers can also benefit from remote working as this working model provides diversity in teams and to the corporate ecosystem as well, with alternative view points and experiences. Providing employees with the flexibility to work where and when they want increases employee productivity. Indeed, studies show that remote work saves employers money as it cuts overhead costs, increase employee retention and boost employee productivity. So, what and how do you think to lead a distributed team, even in an uncertain time.

Here’s a look at some thoughtful considerations a compassionate leader should apply when leading distributed teams.

Communication

Good and open communication is of the utmost importance when leading a team as a leader. By communicating with every individual in the team, leaders can understand each team member and address their requirements if exist. It can open the door for new opportunities or development areas. With good communication practices, both leaders and employees can win challenges and distractions associated with remote working. Clear and transparent communication also helps build trust among team members, increase cooperation, create a better relationship, along with keeping updated with new development trends.

Set Vision and New Boundaries

Leading a distributed team undoubtedly requires an interactive business culture, a thoughtful hiring process, clearly stated processes and communication to support productivity. However, these all can be failed if there is not a shared mission that brings it all together. Sharing the vision and the company culture can help build consistent actions around that. This can assist distributed teams to know how to make their own decisions locally without deviating from the purpose and the goals of the organization. Hence, setting goals and accountability encourage employees to reminisce about their overall objectives when working on daily tasks, even while remote. 

Personalize Interactions

Using video conferencing and conference calls may be an effective daily communication tool. But these communication methods may not beat direct, in-person gatherings as in-person meetings in both in-office and remote staff build stronger communications among team members, help new hires, strengthen morale, and advance the generation of new ideas. Thus, it is imperative to offer a time-to-time in-person gathering that can help develop the relationships between team members and leadership.

Make Use of Updated Technologies

Working remotely requires updated technology including a computer system, fast internet connections as well as security solutions to do work fast and secure. Apart from these, the increased adoption of applications like Zoom and Slack enable cooperation with co-workers and clients, making work from home easier. Technology also eases the communication barrier between managers and employees like in the office. Even there are companies giving businesses the ability to track the activities of their employees by installing software on their computers.

Therefore, leading a distributed workforce requires leaders to always make communication with their remoter employees, encourage and incentivize them and appreciate their work so that they cannot feel isolated from the company.