To successfully manage a long-distance team, you must clearly understand what you expect from the team. Set clear parameters and deadlines, and make sure everyone knows what they need to do. It also fosters positive relationships and encourages better communication among team members with Unified Communications.Â
Using Video Conferencing
Using video conferencing in managing long-distance team members is beneficial for various reasons. It helps people share their ideas and problem-solving skills. It also fosters positive relationships and encourages better communication among team members. This leads to better results across the organization. A more cohesive team leads to a more productive and inspired workforce.
Video conferencing provides participants with the next-best experience of being in the same room. It helps them avoid distractions, read body language and stay on task by providing an uninterrupted connection. It also helps reduce background noise and visuals that can detract from the quality of communication.
Video conferencing allows project managers to share screens with project team members. It also allows team members to work on smaller projects in breakout rooms. In addition, whiteboards can be used to map out the process. This way, team members can collaborate and prevent PM disasters. They can also make last-minute revisions before submitting a final product to the client. And if a project has a major setback, team members can regroup and refocus their efforts.
Building Rapport With Team Members
When managing long-distance teams, building rapport with team members is essential. Fortunately, this doesn’t have to be a difficult task. Despite these limitations, the most important thing you can do is to take the time to get to know each team member personally. For example, wishing each member a happy birthday can go a long way when you rarely meet face-to-face.
While building rapport with team members is important in any workplace, it’s particularly important when managing long-distance teams. First, it would help if you tried to listen to others’ voices and tone of voice when talking with them. Doing so can make a connection with each team member and improve morale. Furthermore, team members will be more willing to work with you, even if things get tough. For example, one of my former coworkers left her job after eight months because she could not build rapport with her team members. The lack of communication led to strained working relationships and the employee leaving the company.
While building rapport is not as challenging as you think, it is time-consuming. It requires time, effort, and commitment from team members and managers.
Avoiding Micro-management
Managing long-distance teams requires the skills of both a leader and a manager. You need to be able to set expectations and communicate those expectations to your team. Often, people in management positions are scrutinized and can become too controlling. Avoid micro-management by developing trust and respect within your team.
In theory, being a micromanager may seem like a good idea, but it can hinder performance and undermine job satisfaction. As the manager, you must remember to give your employees space and time to take on projects and work efficiently. This way, you can focus on improving their work experience instead of constantly micro-managing them.
Setting Clear Expectations
Setting clear employee expectations can help create a collaborative environment and improve team performance. This can make everyone feel involved, reduce miscommunication, and build a sense of ownership among team members. A clear definition of responsibilities also makes it easier to motivate employees. With a clear understanding of their job description, they will feel more engaged in the work and focus more on achieving their goals.
Setting clear expectations is an essential part of managing a home-based team. A team must be effective and productive, and failing to set clear expectations can cause tension and negatively impact the team’s relationship. If you want your team to succeed and grow, it’s vital to establish clear expectations and document them. This way, everyone knows what they’re expected to do, what’s expected of them, and how they can contribute to the project’s goal.
Regardless of the size of your team, setting clear expectations is crucial to a successful working relationship. It’s important to keep employees on the same page concerning work and project deadlines. A SMART goal can help you tailor expectations to the individual needs of your team.
Resources:
https://www.chanty.com/blog/how-to-manage-a-remote-team/
https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/small-business/project-management/articles/remotely-manage/
