These days more than ever, much of the world’s working population has transitioned from in-person work to working remotely. Employees have been faced with challenges adjusting to their remote work environments, but for managers, remote work comes with its own set of difficulties. Here are some tips for managing remote employees well.
Adjust Communication Methods
When employees are working remotely, some methods of communication that would normally be available in the office are not possible, and so some communication methods will need to be adjusted. Instead of popping into a co-worker’s office to discuss a project or ask a question, you and your employees can communicate with one another via virtual messages, video calls, or emails. As a manager, encourage your employees to utilize a variety of communication methods, as different employees will be better able to communicate with one type than another. Crazy Egg has a list of the 9 best collaboration software options available today.
Encourage Organization and Productivity
In a non-office environment, it can sometimes be difficult for employees to stay organized, productive, and motivated. It’s your job as a manager to give your employees the tools and strategies they need to succeed. One of the most important things to teach your employees is how to manage time well. This will help them to improve their productivity each day by staying on task and completing all tasks in a timely manner. In addition to improving the success of individual employees, these strategies will improve the success of your company as a whole.
Prioritize Interaction
At times, working from home can become quite lonely. In an office environment, employees have the opportunity to make small talk throughout the day and form relationships outside of formal meetings. But for remote employees, forming these kinds of relationships with others at work is much harder. To promote good connections and rapport among your employees, prioritize interaction outside of normal work tasks and functions. This could mean setting up a group chat dedicated to small talk, scheduling a meeting for employees to meet one another face to face, or even throwing a virtual party.
Trust Your Employees
Managers who are responsible for remote employees often have lower levels of trust in remote workers than in those who work in the office. The notion is that remote employees will have more difficulty focusing and completing all assigned work than those in the office. However, this is a misconception, as remote employees can be just as hardworking and productive. If you notice that one of your remote employees is underperforming, take them aside and address the issue. But otherwise, trust that your employees are taking responsibility for their jobs and leave them to it. Constant monitoring or suspicion of your employees will only hurt your relationships and the structure of your company.
These tips for managing remote employees well will give you guidance in this new world of remote work. Be the best manager you can be and help your employees and company to thrive.
