Managing a virtual team is a challenge. It’s different from working in an office, which is why management is extremely crucial in a setup like this. Collaboration with team members who may be from various parts of the world isn’t easy, but fortunately, there are now more tools and ways to do this.
To become an excellent manager, you need to know the best ways to handle a team remotely. Not only will this help you bring value to the table, but it will also help the business succeed.
In this post, we will talk about some mistakes to avoid when managing a virtual team.
1. Not Trusting
It’s natural for remote workers to feel like it’s difficult to trust people they haven’t met in person. Moreover, managers don’t really have the luxury to physically check in with their team members, which is why trust is essential.
One of the biggest mistakes virtual managers can make is not trusting the people they work with. Why? When there’s a lack of trust, a manager will often resort to micromanaging, which causes stress for both the manager and the team. As a result, everyone will get less work done.
To prevent this from happening, an open and honest talk with your team is crucial. An open conversation will allow you to know your team’s expectations and their expectations of you. It’s also a great way to get clear on certain projects that need to be done.
Remember, working from home already means you are providing your staff with a level of autonomy. In turn, it will lead to trust that will drive engagement.
2. Not Having One-on-Ones
You might find it difficult to find time to have one-on-ones with your employees, but this is extremely important. It is one of the best ways to get to know your team well.
One-on-one sessions will allow managers to connect with their teams to empower and coach them more effectively on an individual basis. The goal is to have a consistent space to celebrate accomplishments, gain insights into the level of the team’s success, and exchange feedback.
3. Focusing on Hours
A good reason a lot of people choose to work remotely is the flexibility. However, a lot of managers still focus on the hours that someone works and do not base it on the output. In a remote world, you won’t be able to look over someone’s shoulder, and attempts to replace that with technology are not reasonable.
Unless the role requires the employee to be available at a specific time, don’t worry about employees putting in the hours. The best way to do this is not to measure whether people are showing up. Instead, measure the amount of value they bring to the table.
Conclusion
Indeed, handling a remote team isn’t the easiest thing to do—the time zones, different people, and not being there physically can be challenging. The good news is, there are now a lot of ways to make it work. Knowing these top three common mistakes will help you have better management that will ensure your remote team’s success.
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