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, engagement, and ultimately, better results.
Get across it: the rise of bossware and employee monitoring.
Employee monitoring software is becoming increasingly popular. But research shows that keeping such a close eye on employees can reduce rather than boost engagement, productivity, and worker retention.
The agile standup is still relevant in a remote work environment.
We spoke with agile expert Rita Tattersall about stand-ups and agile in the context of remote, hybrid and distributed workplaces.
Negotiating return to the office for your team.
As companies summon their employees back to the office, reality looms: physical proximity won't magically repair fractured leadership dynamics. Leaders who struggled to connect and inspire their teams remotely are likely to find themselves grappling with the same challenges within office walls.
Power up innovation in your remote team.
You might think that virtual brainstorming sessions are less effective than in-person ones, but that's not necessarily true. In fact, when done correctly, virtual brainstorming can be more productive, inclusive, and efficient than traditional face-to-face sessions.
The bossware boom: Should you be monitoring employees?
Surveillance software is on the rise among employers looking to track the productivity of their remote workers— but research shows that monitoring is not an effective substitute for good management.
Collaboration doesn't happen naturally in remote teams.
The collective intelligence of a team is far greater than the sum of its individual parts. This intelligence can elevate every phase of a project, from initial brainstorming to final review.
But here's the catch: the communication challenges introduced by remote work can undermine your team's collaborative efforts. That's why it's crucial to approach virtual teamwork with a considered and intentional strategy.
Unlocking the virtual office: navigating and securing remote work opportunities.
If you’re looking for a remote work opportunity or your current employer is winding back remote work options, here’s our tips for maximising your potential to secure a new remote job.
Your team need more of your time. Mastering the remote 1:1.
One-on-one meetings with your direct reports or leader are hard to get right in person and even harder online. Experience shows that omitting one-on-one meetings is riskier than you may have thought.
Mastering visibility is key to becoming a successful remote worker.
Regardless if you’re working for an old-school leader who thinks remote working is a misguided fantasy (Gerstener, 2024) or a new-school leader who’s into hybrid work, autonomy, and management by objectives (MBO), remote workers face an up-hill journey being visible and relevant. The age-old adage of “out of sight, out of mind” remains pertinent, even with the assistance of modern technology and communications.
Don’t rely only on presence as a sign of progress.
In both the office and at home, open communication and clear expectations build trust and help people to succeed. Leaders who are frustrated by lack of visibility in their remote teams can reset expectations by facilitating a discussion of expectations and communication styles as a team.
Hybrid all staff meetings aren’t working for your remote team.
Hybrid Town Halls prioritise the needs of the in-office staff and leaders over the needs of remote or distributed staff. Where a large percentage of the audience is joining virtually, an all-virtual event instead ensures everyone is given the same experience and opportunity.
Their camera isn’t actually broken.
Encourage participation and engagement in virtual meetings. The absence of faces in online meetings presents a distinct hurdle to effective communication and engagement.
Lessons we can learn from extreme remote work.
Not all remote teams work from a desk. Remote area firefighting teams work in a dynamically changing environment in wilderness environments. They don’t leave things to chance. They are intentional about how they communicate, collaborate and respond to changing circumstances.
Negotiating a fair remote work agreement.
While we're not all in a strong negotiating position when organisations start pushing return to office policies, there are ways you can approach remote work negotiations in a way that increases the likelihood of a successful outcome.