Ways to Manage a Team and Talent from Afar

These days, it’s as if Zoom meetings have taken over the world!  


All kidding aside, remote work has fundamentally changed the way we lead.   


Since working remotely may become a more permanent fixture, and we know it can lead to higher employee satisfaction, lower turnover, and greater productivity, leaders will need to determine how this new normal works when it comes to recruiting, managing and retaining employees. 


Here's how to build a strong team at a distance.


Hiring


The great thing about hiring remote workers is that you aren’t limited by geography. This gives you access to a more diverse range of candidates. On the flipside, you’ll be combing through a lot more LinkedIn profiles and Indeed resumes. The solution? Stay on top of hiring, even if you don’t have a job vacancy. See someone who catches your eye when you're scrolling through a job site? Save their information for later. You can even reach out to the person and let them know that you may have a position for them in the future. Get them on your radar and stay in contact.  


The interviewing process is also changing. Before, you’d be sitting face-to-face with a candidate in the same room. Now, you really need to be able to hone your interview skills to ask the right questions. This will give you a better feel for someone when it’s hard to judge things like body language.


Managing


Managing a remote staff means you need to be even more clear about goals and expectations and to adhere to timelines and projects. At the same time, you need to show some empathy.  Not everyone can manage their workload from home in the same way, so you need to determine your team’s individual patterns and needs. Check in with them, and let them know you are available to address any of their questions or concerns.


Operating


When your team is working from home, it allows them more flexibility. For instance, your best employee may ask to leave their desk early on Thursdays so they can catch their kid’s baseball game. As long as they are reaching their goals, I think the notion of having to be glued to a computer 8 hours a day is slowly going away. Goal-based work, as opposed to hour-based work, is something employees have strived towards for ages. Companies who embrace goal-based work will drive engagement and boost loyalty.


These last several months have been a good indicator that working remotely can be successful.  Companies and leaders should strive to continue working with their team to ensure a seamless process from afar.


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