How great are the people around you? I don’t think the definition of “around” would apply in this blog post, but with the familiarity that we all understand the reality of remote work, I won’t spend myself in explanations.
Now again: how great are the people around you? Does it inspire you? Does it make you grow? Do you make them grow?
What was the last thing you learned together? What was the latest solution you found as a team?
Remote life has brought us remote jobs, with remote decisions, remote achievements, and remote retrospectives. As individual or isolated as this sounds, we are teams in the middle of all this remote work life.
With the rise of remote work, leadership styles have had to adapt to the new paradigm of managing a distributed workforce. While the fundamental principles of leadership remain the same, remote leaders must be intentional and proactive in building trust, empowering their people, and driving high performance.
Here are some key strategies for remote leadership from my experience and a lot of readings and videos about it online:
High performance: scoring the KPIs and exceeding expectations
As a remote leader, you must set clear expectations for your team and measure their performance against key performance indicators (KPIs). However, high performance is about not just hitting targets but also exceeding them. Encourage your team to go above and beyond and celebrate their successes.
Be honest with yourself, and don't mislead anybody
Honesty and transparency are crucial for building trust in remote teams. Be open about your strengths and weaknesses, and encourage your team to do the same. Look for opportunities to improve processes and systems to drive greater efficiency and productivity.
Empower your people
Trust is the foundation of any successful remote team. Remote teams need autonomy to do their best work. Empower your team to make decisions and take ownership of their work. Provide the resources and support they need to succeed, but give them the freedom to innovate and experiment. People make processes, and processes are part of team success.
Don't be a hostage of your job (but don't forget about it)
Remote work can blur the lines between work and personal life. As a leader, setting boundaries and prioritizing your well-being is necessary. Take time for self-care and personal growth, but also stay connected to your team and be available when needed.
Take care of your tribe
Remote teams can feel isolated, so creating a sense of community and connection is essential. Take care of your team by providing opportunities for social interaction, recognition, and support. Please show your appreciation for their hard work and celebrate their successes.
Details, details, details
Remote work requires a high level of attention to detail to ensure that communication is clear and everyone is on the same page. Encourage your team to pay attention to the small details and provide the resources and tools they need to do so.
Understand the resistance, and get a joint forward opinion
Resistance to change is natural, especially in remote teams. Take the time to understand the concerns and views of your team and work together to find solutions. Encourage open communication and a willingness to adapt and grow.
Bring stability
Remote work can be unpredictable and stressful, so you must provide stability and consistency for your team. Communicate clearly and regularly, establish routines and processes, and provide support and resources to help your team manage their workloads and maintain their well-being.
Be a problem solver, not a problem creator
Be proactive and solutions-oriented. Encourage your team to approach challenges with a positive mindset and a willingness to collaborate and innovate. Lead by example and model a problem-solving mentality.
Analyze your losses with some depth
Failure is inevitable, but how you respond to it matters. Encourage your team to analyze their losses with a growth mindset and a willingness to learn. Encourage open communication and a culture of continuous improvement. If everybody pushes in the same direction doing their best with their abilities, this will trigger positive force.
Trust your gut!
As a remote leader, you must be decisive and confident in your decisions. Trust your instincts and rely on your experience and knowledge to guide your actions. However, also be open to feedback and be willing to adapt your approach as needed.
Look in the eyes (even on a screen)
Remote leadership requires strong communication skills and emotional intelligence. Connect with your team members on a personal level, and show genuine interest in their well-being and success. Lead with authenticity, humility, and ambition, and inspire your team to do the same.
Non-negotiables
RAs a remote leader, having a set of non-negotiables that everyone on your team knows and respects is essential. One of these non-negotiables should be honesty. As a leader, it’s necessary to be honest with your team, especially when it comes to your weaknesses and strengths. When you’re authentic with your team, you show them that you’re not afraid to be vulnerable, and that’s a powerful way to build a connection with them.
No-shortcuts
Processes must be in place to ensure everyone is working towards the same goals and objectives. As a remote leader, you must create and implement strategies that work for your team. This could include regular check-ins, project management tools, and clear communication guidelines.
Brand ambassadors
As a remote leader, you’re also an ambassador of your brand. Your team is an extension of your brand, and their work reflects on your company. It’s important to ensure everyone on your team is aligned with your brand values and understands how they contribute to the company’s overall success.
Timing for communication
Communication is a crucial aspect of remote leadership, but choosing when and where you communicate with your team is essential. Interrupting workflows or blocked times for creativity or deep focus can harm productivity. As a remote leader, it’s critical to set clear boundaries around communication and ensure that your team knows when it’s appropriate to contact you.
What to Be Aware Of"You're only as good as your last race" - Toto Wolff
Remote work requires a continuous focus on excellence and performance. Encourage your team to improve and learn from their successes and failures constantly. Celebrate their wins, challenge them to set higher goals, and achieve even more outstanding results.
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In conclusion, ask yourself the same questions as this post’s beginning. Are the answers positive? Great, keep pushing like that. Not so positive? You are taking a great first step to become a better remote leader by reading until the end of this article.
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