{"id":8747,"date":"2020-10-01T12:44:48","date_gmt":"2020-10-01T12:44:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mooninvoice.com\/blog\/?p=8686"},"modified":"2022-09-06T06:39:03","modified_gmt":"2022-09-06T06:39:03","slug":"bring-the-best-out-of-your-remote-team-tips-for-managers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.mooninvoice.com\/blog\/bring-the-best-out-of-your-remote-team-tips-for-managers\/","title":{"rendered":"Bring the Best Out of Your Remote Team: Tips for Managers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Remote work is on the rise, and we all know it. The United States has witnessed a surge of <\/span>173%<\/span><\/a> in remote workers over the past 15 years. And with COVID-19 forcing social distancing, remote work has become the new normal. Even after the pandemic subsides, organizations will continue to rely on distributed teams.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

For employees, remote work comes with a myriad of perks. They don’t have to incur travel costs. They can have flexible schedules. And they can work from anywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But there are a few pitfalls as well. Remote employees face isolation, and they often struggle with motivation, morale, and productivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In this article, we’ll discuss a few things employers and managers can do to keep their remote team’s morale high.<\/span><\/p>\n

It Begins with Hiring Right<\/b><\/h2>\n

Before the pandemic, only 7% of US employees worked remotely. Though the number was higher among European countries (10-23%), it wasn’t significant. Now, a whopping <\/span>60%<\/span><\/a> of US employees are willing to quit their job for one that allows them to work from home.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Remote<\/p>\n

However, that doesn’t mean they’re used to working in isolation, away from an enthralling office environment. Remote work surely has perks, but it comes with drawbacks, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Unless you’re a completely distributed team, your remote employees will feel disconnected. They’ll be distant from the office action, and they won’t understand the pulse of the office effectively. It may be challenging for these employees to keep a proper track of time<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

As an employer, find employees who understand what it takes to work remotely. Set these expectations straight and pick people who would excel in such an environment. Look for self-motivated people who’re willing to give-up office perks and enjoy the benefits of remote work.<\/span><\/p>\n

Don’t Try Too Hard<\/b><\/h2>\n

Many employers tend to go overboard with compensating their remote employees. Although it’s essential to acknowledge the limitations of remote work, it’s critical to understand that some of them are irresolvable. And trying too hard to solve them will only give birth to more problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, don’t treat your remote employees as helpless children. Avoid jumping on an opportunity to call if a message or email would do. Let them take responsibility for their actions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Focus on Effective Communication<\/b><\/h2>\n

As discussed, don’t give your remote employees special treatment. But you need to make sure your employees don’t feel completely disconnected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In an office, there’s frequent in-person communication. If employees face any challenges, they can go to their colleagues or seniors promptly. But remote employees don’t have such resources. Therefore, it’s essential to establish effective communication.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Check on your remote employees frequently. Dropping in a text a couple of times a day asking how they’re doing can be a good start. But when in doubt, hop on a call. Written communication can be fast and efficient, but it lacks the expression of verbal interaction.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also, pay special attention to employee wellness. It’s common for managers to treat remote employees as output machines, mainly because they’re not in front of them. Make sure to check in on them and see how they’re doing emotionally.<\/span><\/p>\n

Host Games and Activities<\/b><\/h2>\n

Team spirit plays a vital role in boosting employee morale. Without team spirit, you won’t be able to realize and unleash your team’s full potential. Therefore, conduct team building activities regularly. Some of the best ideas include:<\/span><\/p>\n