Teleworking bosses: eight tips for leading teams remotely

The need for social isolation imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic generalized teleworking. In their “success”, the consultants point out that the role of the middle management is decisive.

Some leaders are experienced in managing remote work teams, but others are used to seeing people at their desks or having face-to-face meetings.

How to lead a team from home? The human resources consultancy Adecco binda a series of very useful tips to keep in mind:

1. Trust the team

It is the ideal time to put yourself to the test on this issue: although technology continues to change the way we work, people’s psychological security needs remain constant.

Therefore, it is essential that each one of them let his team know that he is there for what he needs and that one knows that they are giving their best effort in a context that, for many, is new and, in turn, high uncertainty in every way.

2. Focus on results

Pay attention to what teams must achieve, not focus so much on tasks. The ways of achieving results will be altered by the dizzying pace of events.

It is a good time to abandon micromanagement (which incidentally, does not help confidence at all). For this it is necessary to reestablish short-range objectives and to test how they are met.

Having your own team metrics is an excellent tool for when you need to set goals.

3. Communicate clearly

Both the objectives and their deadlines. In this sense, it should be borne in mind that many of the team members are dealing in parallel with the tasks of children and domestic tasks in a work mechanic that for many is new (for 56 percent of Argentines, according to Adecco’s polls)

In addition to being dealing with family and own anxiety. In this sense, a good tip is to avoid sending extra orders beyond what is agreed.

4. Establish agreements

It is good to have guidelines on when in the week formal follow-up meetings are to be held and to remain flexible when making last minute changes or modifications.

5. Report daily

The leader can handle more information than his team, while they will be more isolated from the organizational day to day. It is important to keep them informed of the decisions that are being made within the company.

6. Provide and ask for feedback

Do not presuppose anything; nor that they have enough information to carry out their tasks, nor that one as a leader is doing what they expect.

7. Acknowledge efforts and encourage

Although everything slows down and the results take time to arrive, it is essential to remember that, like one, they are also doing their learning and going through a new situation.

8. Take care of the team

A good way is to remind them of the importance of physical posture in front of the screen and of taking active breaks. If necessary, help them design a daily work routine as much as possible.

Advise them about the health risks of increasing stress and anxiety levels if one is over-informed, and that they always try to do so via official means of the country where they are located.