Productivity

Identify the sources of conflict

Conflict in remote teams can arise from various sources. Recognising these sources is the first step towards addressing and resolving them effectively.

• Communication breakdowns: misunderstandings often occur due to the lack of face-to-face interaction. Text-based communication can lead to misinterpretations.
• Cultural differences: diverse teams bring different cultural perspectives, which can sometimes clash if not managed properly.
  
• Unequal workload distribu…

The ability to work independently is one of the benefits of remote work, however it can be easy to lose focus. Build internal accountability so you can maintain productivity while working remotely.

Manage your time

Without the structure of a traditional office environment, it's easy to lose track of time or become overwhelmed by tasks. Here are some strategies to manage your time more effectively:

• Set clear goals: begin each day with a list of specific goals you aim to achieve. Break down l…

Managing a remote team can make it hard to know how people are feeling. Don’t leave it up to chance, pay attention to changes and keep lines of communication open.  

One of the primary concerns for managers of remote teams is recognising signs of stress in their employees. Unlike traditional office settings where face-to-face interactions can provide visual cues, remote work requires more nuanced approaches. It’s important to pay attention and address issues early.

Have you noticed?

• Changes…

Running an engaging remote meeting takes skill and planning. Virtual meetings can be a time sink. With a bit of planning and consideration, you can make them engaging and productive.

 Prepare

Set clear objectives: the first step in preparation is defining the purpose of the meeting. What do you hope to achieve? Clear objectives help keep the meeting focused and ensure that all participants understand why they are there.

Choose the right platform: not all video conferencing tools are created e…

Don’t get hung up on the challenges of remote leadership – the rules are the same. Pave the way to success by making it clear what people have to do, when they have to do it and then proactively monitor and review progress.

Set realistic deadlines

Successfully managing remote projects begins with setting realistic deadlines. To do this, it’s essential to assess the project scope and complexity. Take the time to understand all the tasks involved and how long each one will take. This helps in cr…

Don't let your remote team drift.

When you focus on understanding what drives your team, setting clear goals, encouraging continuous learning, fostering a positive environment and recognising achievements, you help to keep your remote team motivated and focused on organisational goals.

Take Action

Understand what motivates your team

People need a mix of intrinsic and extrinsic motivators to perform at their best.  Intrinsic motivators are internal, and include personal growth, job satisfacti…

When organisational goals support individual goals, employees feel valued. People who feel valued are more likely to engage with the goals of the organisation and work harder to achieve them.

Why It Matters

Employee engagement can be challenging in remote teams. Without face-to-face interaction it’s hard to build trust which is an important stepping stone to engagement.

Take Action

To build engagement in your remote team, focus on communication and collaboration through:

Regular check-ins a…

The temptation to implement a blanket rule for all hybrid or remote workers is driven by the desire for simplicity and uniformity. Leaders face the challenge of designing flexible work arrangements that maintain productivity while addressing the diverse needs of their teams.

Why it matters

Fairness in the workplace means recognising and accommodating diversity, ensuring that every employee has the support they need to thrive. Uniform policies can lead to employees feeling undervalued and less …

Teams need to collaborate and compromise on remote work arrangements to come up with a plan that works for everyone.

Why it matters

Remote work is no longer a temporary solution. Without a thoughtful operations plan, distributed teams can quickly become disjointed, leading to miscommunication, unmet deadlines, and ultimately, dissatisfied employees. Effective remote work planning isn't just a logistical necessity; it's a strategic imperative that ensures the work gets done and people remain ha…

The thought of remote workers returning to a traditional office setting, even for a single day, often meets with scepticism and reluctance. However, a well-planned and purpose-driven office day can offer surprising benefits that enhance team dynamics, boost productivity, and rejuvenate company culture.

Why it matters

By balancing remote work with occasional in-person collaboration, you can leverage the strengths of both approaches, fostering a more cohesive, productive, and engaged team.

Take…