With the increase of remote work, leading teams has assumed a different dimension. Remote leadership requires an innovative approach to keep teams aligned, motivated, and productive. I hope to provide a high-level exploration of how I learn to effectively lead remote teams, my focus is on the use of check-ins, weekly meetings, technology tools, and innovative strategies.
Check-ins
Check-ins are crucial for maintaining alignment and understanding team members’ progress. But, these don’t need be lengthy meetings, only a quick touch point, such as direct message in your favourite communication tool to discuss daily goals, address potential roadblocks, and offer assistance.
This ensure team members feel seen and supported. Tools like Slack and Microsoft Teams offer chat and video call functions that are perfect for this purpose if you need to dive deep into the context once you’ve first checked in with via text.
Consider using project management software like Linear, Asana or Trello to keep track of daily tasks and deadlines, ensuring everyone knows what needs to be done and who is responsible for what. These tools often also include a pulse check or other team check-in type functionality.
Weekly Meetings
Weekly meetings provide a platform for team members to report their weekly achievements, upcoming plans, and challenges. These meetings promote accountability and provide a venue for collaborative problem-solving.
Try and stick with an internally accepted tool, such as Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet. Incorporate tools like Miro or Mentimeter for interactive and engaging brainstorming sessions. Structure these meetings to balance time between operational updates, strategic discussions, and team bonding.
Just remember it’s ok to experiment, weekly might be too frequent, or it might not be frequent enough.
Run an test for a few weeks and collect feedback from your team. This helps create ownership over the process, and also allows you to find the best cadence for your business, in your industry. Reading it on a blog or hearing it on a podcast doesn’t mean it’s right for you! I’ve been there…
Tools for Effective Remote Leadership
A plethora of technology tools support remote leadership. You want to focus on tools which allow you to be collaborative, but also enable easy asynchronous communication. In the world of remote work being online at the same time might not always be easy if you are trying to attract a diverse team.
There are many great tools beyond communication platforms and project management tools to consider, such as time tracking software like Time Doctor or Harvest for accountability, documentation platforms such as Notion or Clickup. Also having the right file sharing solution aids collaboration options include OneDrive, Dropbox, or Box. Finally, and arguably one of the most important tools would be a solid password management software like Dashlane or LastPass which helps ensures security and minimises the post-it notes.
Innovative Leadership Ideas
Leading remote teams also requires changing your thinking from time to time. Here are a few of my suggestions:
- Virtual Team Building: Engage in virtual team-building activities to foster camaraderie. Try virtual escape rooms, online trivia, or shared movie nights using Netflix Party.
- Async Communication: Not everyone can be online at the same time due to differing time zones. Foster a culture that encourages asynchronous communication through platforms like Slack, where messages can be responded to when convenient.
- Remote Socialising: Use platforms like Donut, which pairs up team members for informal virtual coffee chats, promoting casual conversation and bonding.
- Learning and Development: Utilise online learning platforms like Coursera or LinkedIn Learning for team skill development. Create a culture of learning by hosting knowledge sharing sessions.
Leading teams remotely is a nuanced process that demands intentional engagement, clear communication, and innovative strategies to maintain team cohesion and productivity.
By leveraging technology tools and fostering a supportive, collaborative environment, new leaders like you can thrive in the remote work landscape. Remember, the core leadership principles remain the same – it’s about guiding your team towards shared goals while fostering a healthy and motivating work environment.
If this short guide was helpful, I suggest you take a look at some of our longer more in-depth articles covering these areas.