5 Keys To Leading Your Remote Team (And A Challenge)

By on May 2, 2019   /   Tru Leadership   /   7,572 Comments

5 Keys To Leading Your Remote Team (And A Challenge)

When you see your team every day in the office, that’s one type of leadership. When it comes o remote team leadership, it’s less about time clocks, absenteeism, and “where are you going?”

Leading remotely, you don’t know what your team is doing, versus office managers who know all day long where their team is and what they are doing.

Here are 5 Keys to effectively leading remote teams:

1. Better Expectation Setting. Talk in terms of results instead of about activity. Since you can’t see the daily effort and can’t observe the behavior easily, do less micromanaging and more micro-clarifying.

Try this on the phone, “We just agreed on what needs to be done, would you please play back for me what we have agreed, as I may not have clarified key points effectively?” When team members can play back clearly their planned specific activities aligned with your expectations – you are being clear.  

I hear and see some managers say, “So, you got this, right?” Or, “You got any questions?” These yes or no answers do almost nothing for building clear expectations or outcomes. I had team members come to me as projects were not being completed, saying to me, “I told them exactly what to do!” And I may have responded, “I am less interested in what you said, and more interested in what they heard.”

Only when team members can play back to your satisfaction, what they are going to do, are you capable of saying you set clear expectations. And by them replaying what they will do, they are teaching themselves. We learn mostly from what we say, not what we hear.  

2. Better Relationship Building. In those few situations where you are face to face, spend more time asking about Joshua and Katie (their kids names), or their motorcycle trip, new garden, or sick puppy – these are important face to face discussions and trust building opportunities. When remote teams see each other so rarely, we jump hard and fast into business to take advantage of the costs and expenses associated with the face to face meeting. This is the wrong move! We are so focused on achievement, we miss the chance to build trust. Trust leads to engagement and greater team member effort, especially when they are working 95% of the time on their own.

3. Use Technology, Better. Get off the email and onto Zoom, Skype, or Facetime. Remote doesn’t have to mean invisible. Body language is 55% of our influence. Email, text, and IM, are the lowest forms of communication as it’s only words, (7%) not the meaning. Miss the meaning, miss the message. Even conference calls with all 10 faces on the screen, are better than conference calls with everyone doing emails while you talk. That has no value.

4. Send More Photos. Send photos of office people having fun in their environment. Remote team members build a real sense of team when they see the office where others work – our cubicles, windows, parking lot, and cafeteria areas. These visuals build confidence in familiarity, as others talk about being in the cafeteria, remote members have a better visual in their mind and feel more connected. Halloween costume day is an opportunity to connect with remote teams, not just for office fun. If we don’t see each other, we forget we are all real people with real feelings, just doing the best we can. We can minimize conflicts with more visuals.

5. Conference calls could start with “What’s everyone’s good news today?” Start with positives. In fact, half the calls could put business as the #2 topic, and personal updates as #1 topic. Why not start every call with personal updates first? Because some people want to get on with things quickly, and only want the business and we need to appeal to all the styles of communication on conference and in presentations.

Remote team challenge.

Q: What would you do? As team leader, an employee tells you they are not able to attend a critical team meeting next month, due to personal reasons. When you press them on the importance to attend, they reiterate that they “really need to stay back and spend some time at home.”    

A: Most of us think, before we press, and ask ourselves:

1. Are they a top performer?

2. How much we trust them? or

3. Is their excuse valid?

Those questions set us up to judge their values against our values – be careful.

3 key facts:

  • Family priorities should outweigh business priorities. For their own personal reasons some people are less comfortable sharing the details.
  • Trust is built when leaders lean into family or other personal values obligations, ahead of business.  
  • Trust with other team members is built when they see you leaning into core values of another person, regardless of performance. That is more kind, and expands their trust in you.

Ask the employee to please select someone from the team to takes notes in their absence and to be responsible to updating them, upon their return from the meeting. And wish them well at home.  

You will get back engagement and commitment in the richest ways, from everyone. And BTW let your boss know this is your way to drive greater results in this situation. It’s better than arm-twisting every soul to attend, against critical at-home issues, as that will surely drive lower results.

Remote employees feel detached because physically they are detached. And to recognize this fact intellectually is not enough, or they will also feel detached emotionally. The key to all remote team success is to look for ways the remote teams feel less detached and more connected, emotionally.

Helloooooooooo out there! We’re in this together.

Jim

7,572 Comments
  5. Martintig
    10:27 pm on July 12, 2019

    Hi folks,
    I need some advice.
    I need to buy omega 3 oils. I found a pretty cheap stuff
    with discount here
    buy-omega-3.com.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com
    There is some discount not sure how it works.
    Your suggestions?

    Reply
  8. LesKign
    11:32 pm on July 12, 2019

    Direct Provera Secure Propecia Hair Loss Causes best online levitra Zithromax For Kids Levitra Il Migliore Generic Zolfran Without A Prescription

    Reply
  22. Rebbeamiz
    11:32 am on July 13, 2019

    Acheter Du Kamagra En Pharmacie Amoxicillin Dosage For Tooth Infections cialis generique ordonnance Direct Doryx Bacterial Infections Best Website Wycombe Canada Alli Diet Pills

    Reply
  25. Rebbeamiz
    1:35 pm on July 13, 2019

    Acheter Sildenafil viagra Vente Lioresal En Canada

    Reply
  37. LesKign
    4:24 am on July 14, 2019

    Estrace Pills Fast Shipping buy orlistat prescription Cialis Sales Online Vardenafil Vs Viagra Viagra Vs Cialis Vs Levitra Samples

    Reply
  45. Frankew
    11:15 am on July 14, 2019

    Cialis Tadalafil Last Longer Naturally Cialis 5mg Gunstig Kaufen viagra online Cialis Generico Costo

    Reply
  54. LesKign
    4:34 pm on July 14, 2019

    Zithromax Antibiotic Cheap Silagra Tablets como tomar compra kamagra Levitra Generika Kaufen Deutschland Farmacie Online Italiane Order Deltasone

    Reply
  62. Kelideows
    12:11 am on July 15, 2019

    Where To Buy Lasix In Europe Uschemist On Line Tab generic isotretinoin website cod accepted cialis canada Viagra Migliore Order Cialis Online Usa

    Reply
  63. RandGen
    4:02 am on July 15, 2019

    Prueba Gratuita De Viagra Free Amoxicillin In Montgomery Alabama buy cialis online Buy Vibramycin Doxycycline New Zealand Levitra Ricetta Medica Vente De Lioresal

    Reply
  65. Kelideows
    6:19 am on July 15, 2019

    Levitra En Francais cialis 40 mg Can You Take Ibuprofen With Amoxicillin Propecia Comparativa Propecia Fiv

    Reply
  88. StepLoupe
    6:50 am on July 16, 2019

    Daily Cialis online pharmacy Priligy Y Cialis Juntos Is Keflex A Generic Drug

    Reply
  94. StepLoupe
    3:34 pm on July 16, 2019

    Achat De Cialis En France levitra plus Priligy Precio

    Reply
  98. EllEmirty
    5:18 pm on July 16, 2019

    Levitra Venta Online Dutasteride Best Website Find Cialis Doctissimo Forum cialis without prescription Buy Levothyroxine Tablets Online Can I Purchase Tab Secure Ordering Provera Shipped Ups

    Reply
  107. Kelideows
    2:18 am on July 17, 2019

    Levitra Niedriger Blutdruck canadian pharmacy cialis 20mg Viagra in usa

    Reply
  112. MatWern
    10:11 am on July 17, 2019

    Comprar Levitra En Espana Amoxicillin Ngu buy cheap generic levitra online Buy Diclofenac Without A Prescription Cephalexin For Upper Respiratory Infection Prix Kamagra Thailande

    Reply
  115. Frankew
    11:30 am on July 17, 2019

    Cialis 5 Mg Comprime cialis without prescription Levitra Beneficios Propecia Kidney Damage Canadian Pharmacy Online Drugstore

    Reply
  118. Kelideows
    2:29 pm on July 17, 2019

    Purchasing Amoxicilina With Next Day Delivery Cytotec Acheter Ligne Tomar Propecia Estearato De Magnesio cialis dapoxetine overnight shipping Kaufen Viagra Berlin Levitra Rezeptfrei Polen Is Cephalexin Penacillin

    Reply
  126. MatWern
    11:19 pm on July 17, 2019

    Levitra Maker Propecia Cost Over Time cheapest cialis Clomid Curetage Buy Nexium Usa Buy 1 Mg Prednisone Pills Online

    Reply
  146. EllEmirty
    11:04 pm on July 18, 2019

    Cold Sores Keflex cialis 5mg Viagra Bestellung

    Reply
  149. RandGen
    1:47 am on July 19, 2019

    Dosage For Cephalexin For Animals Propecia Doping Efectos Colaterales Buy Antibiotics Online Legal efectos secundarios kamagra oral jelly Viagra Temoignages Zithromax Solution Dosage

    Reply
  185. Martintig
    1:36 pm on July 20, 2019

    Hey guys,
    Do you know any good tool to increase or calculate lottery chance to win?
    I’m trying to understand is this site is good enough

    Any thoughts?

    Reply
  197. Martintig
    5:02 am on July 21, 2019

    Hey guys,
    Need some advice about prostate complex.
    I have some troubles with prostate health and i want to buy good prostate complex as simple supplement
    One of the sites i found is prostatecomplexpro.com
    Any advice?

    Reply
  216. Frankew
    1:47 am on July 22, 2019

    Buy Viagra Online In The United States Xenical En Pharmacie Sans Ordonnance generic viagra Levitra Ohne Rezept Kaufen Online Apotheke Cialis Prix Maroc Prix Cialis 5 Mg Boite De 28

    Reply
  224. Kelideows
    7:34 am on July 22, 2019

    Opiniones Sobre Priligy viagra Online Provera Ups Adn Es La Kamagra Albuterol Inhaler Mexico

    Reply
  227. Kelideows
    10:37 am on July 22, 2019

    Discount Cheap Amoxicilina propecia para el cabello Viagra Ohne Rezept Deutschland Kaufen Propecia Ghost Stories

    Reply
  237. Rebbeamiz
    12:01 am on July 23, 2019

    Tadalafil In Deutschland Kaufen Cialis 20mg Directions Propecia Eu viagra Amoxicillin To Treat Eye Cold Propecia Comida

    Reply
  244. Rebbeamiz
    5:49 am on July 23, 2019

    Levitra Bucodispersable Efectos Secundarios buy viagra Cephalexin Substrate

    Reply
  255. Kelideows
    3:35 pm on July 23, 2019

    Secure Cod Bentyl No Doctor Buying Overnight viagra Cialis Generico Farmacia Europea

    Reply
  260. RandGen
    8:34 pm on July 23, 2019

    Levitra 40mg Generic Preis Cialis 5mg cialis donde comprar online Cialis 20 Efectos Secundarios Order Chlamydia Antibiotics

    Reply
  267. LesKign
    2:42 am on July 24, 2019

    Viagra Gel Viagra Generico Simi Cialis Preise 5mg viagra Canadian Neighborhood Pharmacy Review Canadian Pharcharmy Online No Script Cialis Und Antibiotika

    Reply
  269. Rebbeamiz
    7:12 pm on July 24, 2019

    Prescriptions Amoxicillin Cialis Online India cialis for sale Viagra Over The Counter Equivalent Baclofene Dependance Wo Viagra Kaufen

    Reply
  270. MatWern
    4:21 am on July 25, 2019

    Prednisone 20mg Tab order levitra from canada Online Pharmacies For Generic Amoxil Viagra 100 Wiki Cabergoline

    Reply
  273. Frankew
    7:58 am on July 25, 2019

    Levitra Generico 10 Mg Plavix Discount Canada1 Mg Prednisone No Scrip online pharmacy Free Viagra Samples

    Reply
  280. Rebbeamiz
    11:46 am on July 25, 2019

    Preise Cialis Angebote Propecia Gestazione cialis cheapest online prices Comprar Cialis Sin Receta En Barcelona Se Necesita Receta Para Comprar Viagra En Espana

    Reply
  281. Rebbeamiz
    1:58 pm on July 25, 2019

    Best Buy Stendra No Prior Script El Paso Canadian Online Drugstore How To Get Viagra In Indiana cialis canada Viagra Online Apotheke Canada Genericos Cialis

    Reply
  283. LesKign
    2:14 pm on July 25, 2019

    Selbstversuch Levitra viagra Le Prix Du Levitra Online Pharmacxy

    Reply
  287. StepLoupe
    4:59 pm on July 25, 2019

    Provera 5mg Tab cialis for sale Cephalexin 500 Mg And Alcohol

    Reply
  289. MatWern
    6:43 pm on July 25, 2019

    Drus On Line Mexico cialis Women Viagra

    Reply
  300. StepLoupe
    2:23 am on July 26, 2019

    Compra Cialis In Contrassegno cialis Propecia Buy Sydney Zithromax Pack Buy Zithromax For Syphilis

    Reply
  306. LesKign
    6:56 am on July 26, 2019

    Best Prices For Usa..Viagra Viagra Kaufen cialis prices Cheap Tadapox

    Reply
  316. StepLoupe
    6:17 pm on July 26, 2019

    Clomid Au Bout Combien Temps Prise De Sang viagra 39 Vigara

    Reply
  325. EllEmirty
    7:24 am on July 27, 2019

    Zithromax Treatment For Chlamydia Cialis Dose Cialis De Laboratorios Lilly generic levitra no prescription Ed Meds With No Rx

    Reply
  340. Kelideows
    11:32 pm on July 27, 2019

    Kamagra Sildenafil 50 Mg cialis from canada Cytotec Mifegyne Purchase Minocycline 100mg Buying Viagra Online Reviews

    Reply
  343. Kelideows
    4:59 am on July 28, 2019

    Viagra With Dapoxetine Reviews Human Recommended Dosage Of Cephalexin Cialis Online Koln cialis Chewable Visgra On Sale Levaquin In Usa Next Day Delivery

    Reply
  355. CraigAlism
    1:36 pm on July 28, 2019

    Earlier I thought differently, thanks for an explanation.

    Reply
  406. Kelideows
    5:09 am on July 30, 2019

    Xenical Donde Compro Online Usa Best Place To Buy Synthroid Online cialis no prescription Cialis Online Barcelona Zithromax India

    Reply
  439. natashawl60
    2:41 am on July 31, 2019

    Hot galleries, daily updated collections
    http://freetamilporn.jsutandy.com/?breanna

    korea porn trailers top porn movie of 2007 porn website password annette porn star high quality porn pic

    Reply
  466. prooknann
    7:20 pm on July 31, 2019

    http://prooknann.ru/Zamena-furnitury.html – замена фурнитуры цена

    Reply
  495. jeffvv60
    7:57 pm on August 1, 2019

    Scandal porn galleries, daily updated lists
    http://largeobjectporn.viralpornmpeg.energysexy.com/?breanna

    free latex porn videos adult video free amateur porn bbq porn on imagefap anime alien porn picks tranny porn star listing

    Reply
  500. maxineqk11
    10:56 pm on August 1, 2019

    Browse over 500 000 of the best porn galleries, daily updated collections
    http://free.real.tits.instakink.com/?kassidy

    mtv real life gay porn actor porn star naomi cruise girls in white trouser porn porn star angel ash free gang rap porn

    Reply
  517. peterxx11
    8:05 am on August 2, 2019

    Big Ass Photos – Free Huge Butt Porn, Big Booty Pics
    http://faacebookporn.allproblog.com/?kaitlynn

    senior black sluts porn videos thai porn images moaning black fuck porn gay porn for kids nineties porn stars

    Reply
  519. nadineld60
    10:20 am on August 2, 2019

    Young Heaven – Naked Teens & Young Porn Pictures
    http://mongolian.porn.bloglag.com/?elle

    braces on amteur porn undead porn free black and ebony porn pichunter free teen sex porn tube videos 40 and over cougars porn

    Reply
  551. Kelideows
    2:29 am on August 3, 2019

    Daily Use Cialis Without Prescription Cialis Viagra Bayer generic cialis from india Zithromax 500mg Dosage Il Viagra Aiuta

    Reply
  557. manuelxk4
    6:07 am on August 3, 2019

    Free Porn Pictures and Best HD Sex Photos
    http://alevelescort.instasexyblog.com/?elisa

    young porn shower porn tube young boy porn mature milf teaching sex airforce amy porn puprle porn

    Reply
  571. ChesterTox
    12:07 pm on August 3, 2019

    анашкино одинцовский район купить

    песок щебень чернозем одинцово

    Reply
  588. jessiece16
    12:16 am on August 4, 2019

    Browse over 500 000 of the best porn galleries, daily updated collections
    http://porn.sex.bestsexyblog.com/?amina

    battle ground porn susan hart porn star gay porn 2007 jelsoft enterprises ltd free amatuer porn uploads porn picture galleries xxx

    Reply
  590. isabellaqb11
    1:19 am on August 4, 2019

    College Girls Porn Pics
    http://pornwithgaymen.bestsexyblog.com/?ashley

    freemilf porn galleries vanessa hudgens porn cartoon free bizzare insertion porn mobile kim kardashian porn porn handjob blonde hot video

    Reply
  622. opheliaak18
    7:02 pm on August 4, 2019

    Sexy teen photo galleries
    http://forcedlesbian.bestsexyblog.com/?dulce

    celebrity sex porn galleries porn movies nina hartley young teen bisexual porn free gay picture porn tube tentacle porn wiki live action

    Reply
  652. naomipz16
    1:37 pm on August 5, 2019

    Hot galleries, thousands new daily.
    http://blankcoffeecup.menstees.fetlifeblog.com/?alex

    x tube amature porn tube porn spandex premature cuming porn 247 ebony porn bridget porn

    Reply