Company leaders have had to learn how to properly manage remotely since the pandemic.
Key Details
- The pandemic unexpectedly sent many workers home and forced them and company leaders to learn how to adjust remotely.
- The two years since workers were sent home has been a trial and error process, but many managers have figured out what it takes to lead effectively in a remote workplace.
- Managers reported three key aspects on how to properly lead a remote team.
Why it’s news
Since the pandemic started in March 2020 remote working has exploded. Many workers realized they could easily do their job from home and don’t want to go back to the office.
For managers it was a harder process. Many managers said adjusting to remote work was extremely hard as they had to balance making sure employees were working while not seeming too overbearing.
Early in the pandemic, Harvard conducted a study and found that 40% of leaders were unprepared to manage remote employees, and 41% struggled to keep their remote team members engaged. On the other hand, only 40% of employees working from home felt supported by their leaders.
In the two years that remote working has taken off it seems that managers have finally gotten the hang of the virtual office life and know how to be a good remote leader. The study states that managers have learned to not micromanage and to better understand employees.
Many workers reported that they needed to feel supported by their superiors, but not feel like they are checking in every 5 minutes to make sure they are on task.
Three things remote managers said were keys to leading a successful remote team, according to the Harvard study…
- Setting priorities and clarifying
- Problem solving
- Checking in and showing compassion
These three aspects are key to leading a remote team. By setting priorities and clarifying the whole team understands their expectations and knows exactly what is expected of them to do.
Problem solving can be more difficult in a remote environment as you aren’t seeing the people and it’s harder to discuss a problem. The team needs to know how to alert managers of a problem and how it can easily and effectively be fixed.
The last key is checking in and being compassionate. Remote work can feel distant and it is important to understand the employees and make sure they are doing well and know that the bosses are truly there for them.