managing your Team remotely
“I would encourage any business leaders to learn more about remote working, check your productivity levels and engage with your work force to make this better.”
By Guy Walker
I’ll be the first to hold my hands up – I have absolutely no idea how to manage people remotely. I didn’t realise the extra time commitment needed when you don’t have all your people in one room, where the pace and quick-fire questions go over my head.
Switching to the 20-minute remote morning meeting that takes me far too long to speak to every member of my team in turn. I also didn’t realise the extra care you need to take when people can’t see your face or body language in person. They might not realise what they’ve interrupted, or that you’re only joking with your tone. I find myself trying to make calls drag on a little longer, just to let that person know I do really care.
The pandemic threw many challenges my way, but this is one that sailed in under the radar.
As a business we needed to adapt quickly, and this meant that mental health and wellbeing very quickly sprang to the forefront of our minds.
1. Individual Attention Versus Assigned Ambassadors
We have now assigned two ambassadors who our always free to talk to the team in privacy and about any topic. I thought this would go down well, but not as I’d hoped initially.
In hindsight I would urge anyone to not then offer it out on a company-wide platform. Instead, direct people in need on an individual basis to speak to those assigned ambassadors, don’t offer it on mass or say they will call round. People need to respond to help in a way that makes them comfortable.
2. The Power of Weekly Wrap Up's
We’ve also introduced a weekly wrap up that doesn’t talk about business but personal achievements, to make sure we keep celebrating the wins, no matter how small.
The Walker Grp Quiz has been a favourite too followed swiftly by our guess the baby competition, with my team submitting brilliant photos. Allowing a serious meeting to become a platform for a little silliness isn’t degrading your authority – it shows humility and your humanity.
I would encourage any business leaders to learn more about remote working, check your productivity levels and engage with your work force to make this better.
3. Employee's - Speak Up!
On the reverse side of this, as an employee, you need to speak to your boss or managers when things don’t feel right. I would be a fool not to listen to my staff and try to make room to listen to their concerns. I too miss the feeling of being in and around my team, that buzz of the business, even for me I’m feeling that this lockdown is tougher than before.
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It’s difficult to find knowledgeable people in this particular topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks