Remote work has become the norm over the last few years, and it doesn’t seem like we’ll be heading back to the offices anytime soon (at least not full-time). Workers have become accustomed to working from home and are generally unwilling to consider leaving the comforts it provides.
But, despite its benefits, remote work leaves organization leaders in a challenging position as they have to find new ways of managing their teams. This article will provide some guidance on managing your team effectively while working remotely.
The Core Principles of Managing People Remain Unchanged
The good news is that people management principles remain the same, and good managers won’t have to change too much to handle their now-remote teams.
Making your employees feel valued remains a top priority, and you should engage with them often, just like you would in the office.
Challenges of Remote Working
With that said, there are a few new challenges that managers have to address amid the trend of remote working:
Prioritize security.
Remote working opens up a whole new set of security challenges for organizations. Employees must know how to behave to prevent hacking, data leaks, or other unwanted scenarios.
Educate your employees on all the cybersecurity threats out there. Help them put in place security measures on their devices such as antivirus software, firewalls, and password managers like this one.
Establish “Rules of Engagement”
Not clarifying the rules of engagement between everyone at the organization can leave employees feeling stressed and without a sense of direction.
Let your employees know what communication channels to use for what occasion. For example, when to use videoconferencing and when to use chat. Tell them what the best way for them to reach you is.
Look to establish these rules as early as possible. But, don’t be afraid to make changes if you or your employees find more efficient communication methods.
Take Care of Your Team’s Mental Health.
While working from home is very convenient, it can also leave workers feeling isolated and stressed out. This is especially true if there’s a lack of communication. To combat this issue, schedule regular calls with all team members.
You could also provide all members of your team with a subscription to a mindfulness application to help them stay calm, focused, and positive.
Trust Your Employees
A common issue that many employees face working both from home and the office is a lack of trust from upper management. Employees can feel like they always need to prove themselves, which leads to working extra hours and feeling stressed.
To make employees feel at ease about their job, avoid micromanaging them and communicate the confidence you have in them. Then, they’ll be way more likely to boost their productivity, and they’ll feel like valued members of the team.
Final Thoughts
Remote work is taking over the professional landscape, bringing a host of benefits for workers and organizations.
But, to reap those benefits, managers will have to find ways to manage their remote workforce and keep employees happy and productive. To do so, start prioritizing cybersecurity and mental health, establish clear rules of engagement, and build professional relationships based on trust.
