Managing a Distributed Workforce: Don’t Just Manage, Lead

The traditional office has changed a lot in recent years, and now working from anywhere is more common than ever. This shift has some benefits, like flexibility and access to a wider talent pool. However, it also brings new challenges for leaders who have to manage and support their teams online.

Leading a diverse and distributed team can be tough, with performance assessments on Zoom and task assignments through email.

Leaders play a vital role in ensuring their remote team members are doing well, promoting teamwork and keeping productivity up. Good leadership is crucial to success.

So, in this digital age, how can you excel as a leader? Lona Alia , an expert in building fully remote teams, shares five essential strategies for effectively guiding remote teams:

Set clear expectations

To effectively lead remote and hybrid teams, it's essential to begin with a strong foundation. This includes defining clear goals, roles, and responsibilities for every team member. Additionally, establishing communication norms and processes is crucial for ensuring clarity and accountability.

The Multiplier team is located across the globe, being 100% distributed brings both incredible opportunities and unique challenges.

Clear expectations are essential for navigating these geographical challenges. With team members spanning different time zones and cultures, it's vital that everyone is on the same page.

Our clear expectations serve as the foundation for our daily operations. They ensure that every team member knows their role, responsibilities, and the goals they're working towards, regardless of where they are in the world.

This clarity is not just about productivity; it's about building trust and cohesion among our team. It's about reducing the stress of remote work by providing a roadmap for success. They are the threads that weave us together, allowing us to function as a unified and highly effective team, no matter the physical distance that separates us.

Communicate frequently and effectively

Effective communication is the backbone of any team that works in different places. It not only helps people get along, trust each other, and understand each other better, but it also brings real-time teamwork to life by using technology.

At Multiplier, we thrive on asynchronous work and setting precise communication expectations. For instance, when team members operate in different time zones, we emphasize the importance of establishing clear response times and pausing notifications.

Furthermore, when delegating tasks, we provide context and set specific deadlines. We place importance on receiving acknowledgment and confirmation of these timelines. During meetings, we promptly summarize key points, including action items and decisions. We also set deadlines for team members to review and confirm their responsibilities.

Maintaining effective asynchronous collaboration can be challenging, and we acknowledge the complexities it can bring. That's why we place a strong emphasis on striking a balance between asynchronous and synchronous communication methods. This approach ensures that team members remain connected, and projects stay on track.

 Fostering synergy and ingenuity

Distributed teams thrive on collaboration and creativity, leveraging diverse skills and perspectives. Cultivate a culture of trust, respect, and inclusivity. Empower your team with collaborative tools and opportunities for knowledge sharing.

For us at Multiplier, tools like Slack have revolutionized collaboration.

Slack has allowed us to foster open dialogue and build trust. It also encourages innovation, experimentation, and the celebration of success.

Our goal is to always communicate with empathy, transparency, and precision. In a recent SHRM article, several leaders also highlighted the importance of empathy, communication, and transparency. 

Communication with employees is about trying to balance the two sides - what we hear their needs to be and explaining what the needs of the company are," - Michael Brisciana , SHRM-SCP, VP of Human Resources at Janel Group, Inc.

Showing empathy means listening and trying to understand not only how a person feels, but also why the person feels that way. Listening actively is key. This encourages team members to voice opinions, ideas, and concerns more openly. Listen actively and attentively, acknowledging their needs and challenges.

Manage outcomes, not outputs 

Guiding a distributed team extends beyond tangible outputs. It’s crucial for leadership and employees to acknowledge the unique challenges posed by remote work: isolation, stress, burnout, and the elusive work-life balance. 

Your compass is empathy. Genuine concern for your team's well-being encompasses more than task management. Regular check-ins help connect team members, addressing both work updates and the emotions they're experiencing.

Source: Leadership Now

Your role transcends mere actions; it's about being a lifeline in challenging times. Equip your team members with resources and unwavering support, empowering them to confront obstacles head-on. Your leadership serves as the guiding light in times of difficulty.

The hidden opportunity for remote work, adapting, and learning

Leadership in the ever-changing world of working from home is a process of adapting and learning. To lead remote and hybrid teams, flexibility is crucial, and it's important to use your team's feedback to guide your direction. Adopt a flexible and open mind, and keep working to improve your leadership style, strategies, and methods.

In an inspiring TedTalk, Hamza Khan shows how a Theory Y approach to leading and building a culture that encourages productivity goes hand in hand. As you watch the linked video below, you'll see Khan's ideas come to life, creating an engaging story:

Khan's message shows how leadership and society can change things for the better. But outward views aren't the end of your journey. You can learn from your own experiences and from what other leaders and experts have to say. Create a culture of growth by giving people opportunities for professional development and encouraging growth through thoughtful comments.

The call to action is clear

Remember as a remote leader, you're a lifeline in challenging times. Equipping your team with resources and unwavering support empowers your team to thrive.

How are you leading your distributed teams?