Articles
Leaders
When people feel valued, they commit.
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…
Why can't I just have a blanket rule for remote work?
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 …
Create the perfect remote work plan: A leader's guide
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…
Convince the introverts: organising in-office time for your remote workers
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…
Don’t ask how many people are in the office. Ask is the job getting done.
If you lead a team that’s successfully working from home, but you’re facing the scrutiny of senior leaders who want everyone back in the office, make sure you’re giving them evidence that the work is getting done, your people are happier and you have the capacity to resolve issues.
Why it matters
Maintaining remote work means getting senior leaders on board. If you keep them in the dark about your successes, they don’t have all the information they need to make decisions about the future of re…
Mastering work-life balance: essential tips for remote teams
Remote work is blurring the lines between home life and work life.
Why it Matters
The wellbeing of your team should be your number one priority. Recognise and address the signs of an unhealthy work / life balance before your team burn out.
Take Action
Help support your remote team to achieve balanced and fulfilling work:
- Set boundaries between work and personal life
Without a clear boundary, employees may find themselves working longer hours, leading to burnout and decreased productivity.…
Healthy culture = engagement = results
Culture is not about mandating “fun” team activities, it’s the shared values, beliefs, and behaviours that shape how employees interact and work together.
In remote settings, work culture is built by how you interact and collaborate virtually. It's about creating an environment where team members feel connected and engaged despite not sharing a physical space.
Why it matters
When you emphasise values-based behaviours, team members are more likely to support one another, make decisions that re…
You can't trust people you don't know
In an office trust builds organically. In a remote team you need to intentionally schedule activities that build trust.
Why It Matters
Trust is the cornerstone of any successful team, but it's especially crucial for remote teams. Without face-to-face interactions, misunderstandings can easily arise, leading to frustration and decreased productivity.
Building trust in your team helps to create an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions, and seeking feedba…
Keep lines of communication open for your remote team
Miss a few updates when your team is in the office, no big deal. Miss a few updates in a remote environment and things can go downhill fast.
Why It Matters
Failing to consider and address communication issues with a remote team can lead to misunderstandings, reduced collaboration and decreased morale.
Take Action
Establish a culture of openness and inclusivity by encouraging team members to voice their concerns and provide feedback regularly. Set up regular check-ins and virtual meetings to …
Managing outcomes rather than actions
The shift to remote work requires a rethink of management style. Traditionally, managers might have focused on the specific process employees follow to complete tasks. However, this can lead to micromanagement and distrust, particularly in remote settings where direct oversight is difficult. Instead, by clearly communicating desired outcomes to their teams, leaders can empower team members to use their expertise to determine the best ways to achieve those outcomes. This approach fosters trust, e…