Want to learn more about how to manage a virtual team? We’ve partnered with Sargent Solutions Inc. for a free webinar on June 24 that will discuss this topic in detail. Get more information and register here.
“Nice to e-meet you!”
“Do you prefer Zoom or Microsoft Teams?”
“You’re on mute…”
These phrases have become incredibly popular since the world has made the huge shift into working remotely. In fact, working from home has become the new normal for most organizations, but there is still a learning curve when managing a virtual team.
Here are 3 crucial tips for making the pivot from working in person to leading online!
Tip 1: Maintain your Culture
Leaders should be more concerned about managing their culture than their people. Share your values, beliefs, and behaviours, and follow through with them when managing your team. When they understand how you think, they’ll aspire to complete tasks and projects in a way that aligns with the culture and pick up on tendencies of what you like to see.
Continue Routine Meetings
Keep everyone on track by resuming your in-office meeting schedule. This will help departments maintain their routine and add consistency to their day-to-day.
Don’t Limit Yourself to E-mails
E-mails and instant messaging are great ways to communicate quickly but can leave your conversation toneless and ingenuine. Take advantage of voice and video calls when you can to help your team feel more connected.
Encourage Social Hours
Get everyone together for some virtual fun! Inviting your team together for some non-work-related socialization can lift morale and continue to build relationships when you can’t be together in person.
Tip 2: Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Seeking input from your team will allow you to gather important information and establish trust and autonomy in the employee.
Ask Them What They Need
How would they like to be managed? What do they need to be successful? How do they want to be held accountable? Asking your team how they would like to be managed when working from home can make the adjustment less stressful for both you and them.
Provide Clear Expectations
Knowing what is expected of them will keep team members motivated! Clearly and frequently articulate expectations of the team for a shared team vision. It’s always helpful to implement a method of keeping track of tasks and goals.
Remember to Check In
How are your team members adjusting to working from home? You should know the answer to this! Reach out to individuals regularly and encourage them to be honest with you, so you can provide resources, advice, and assistance when you need to.
Tip 3: Trust Your Team
If you are experiencing trust issues, you may end up micromanaging, which will negatively impact your team’s success. Confront your personal issues, then seek to empower your team by trusting that the process will allow them to learn and grow.
Delegate Responsibilities
Once you’ve assigned a task to a team member, remove yourself from it so they can succeed without your interference. Only step in to mentor, train, or advise on projects assigned to others when you’re asked, and keep your focus on completing tasks that only you can do.
Understand, Don’t Demand
If a team member is approaching a task differently than the way you would, ask questions to gain understanding, rather than criticizing or demanding they do it your way. Remember that there is more than one way!
Give Them Space
Employees want to stay at a place that gives them the freedom to shine! Allow some flexibility and give your team control over outcomes for success. This will give them purpose and a feeling of accomplishment.
Working virtually brings up new barriers and problems, but also a world of new opportunities. By keeping these tips in mind, managing staff should become stress-free for both you and your team! Leadership should align everyone in the organization with a clear and compelling vision. Let go of the command-and-control mentality, treat staff how you would want to be treated, and reap the benefits of your strong, satisfied, and successful team! Need more help adjusting? Sargent Solutions can help! Contact us https://www.sargentsolutions.ca/contact or book a time with Caroline here: https://bit.ly/33FbBvJ
See all of our upcoming Sargent Academy Webinars here: https://www.sargentsolutions.ca/sargent-academy. Learn more about Sargent Solutions: https://www.sargentsolutions.ca/
Wendy Smith launched Sargent Solutions Inc. in 2006 to solve problems where solutions aren’t always evident. Originally having an office in Komoka, Ontario, Sargent Solutions decided to work entirely virtually since 2016, with a cohesive team of high-level achievers who are dedicated to making a difference by helping charities help the world.
