“A great man is hard on himself; a small man is hard on others.”
– Confucius
It’s natural for a manager to ask for work details and overlook every aspect of your team\’s projects—especially when you’re handling a remote team. You cannot see your employees or talk to them directly. However, when it becomes apparent that you’ve become a micromanaging boss, at first, you may not even notice it.
What makes someone a “micromanager”?
There are many things employees can point out when their boss is a micromanager. Here are some of them below:
- Constantly checking their employees\’ work and asking for updates almost every three hours
- When their boss is trying so hard to be “constantly involved” in every step of their work, despite how pointless it might be
- Always demanding calls in unscheduled times, even off-hours
- Never being satisfied with the outputs done by your employees
- Being overcritical even with minor mistakes
- Always changing work process and having to feel your employees that you’re always in charge of everything
You might be saying, “But those are necessary measures for me as a remote team manager. Does that make me a micromanaging boss?” The answer would be, it depends. If we can put it on a spectrum, everything at the extremes of the aforementioned traits could be a sign that you\’ve become someone your employees dread the most.
However, worry no more because we’ve gathered some of the best ways to manage your remote team and aim for success without becoming a micromanaging boss.
Top 13 best ways to manage your remote team without being a micromanaging boss
As remote work becomes increasingly popular, managing a remote team effectively is more important than ever. But many managers make the mistake of micromanaging their remote employees, which can be ineffective and demotivating.
To help you avoid this trap, here are the top 13 best ways to manage your remote team without being a micromanaging boss:
- Set clear expectations and goals
As a manager, it\’s important to communicate your expectations and goals clearly to your remote team. This will help them understand what is expected of them and what they need to achieve. Make sure your expectations and goals are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). Also, don’t forget that there’s always room for growth and improvement.
- Trust your team
Having faith that your team members are working well and efficiently is one of the hardest parts of managing a remote team. However, it\’s important to trust your team and give them the freedom to work in their own way. Avoid checking in on them too frequently and instead focus on the results they produce.
- Communicate regularly
Regular communication is key to managing a remote team effectively. Schedule regular check-ins with your team members, whether it\’s through video calls, phone calls, or messaging apps. This will help you stay in touch with your team and keep them up-to-date on any changes or updates.
While communication is important, the frequency and timing of communications will be a problem here. However, the best thing to do is only communicate critical information during work hours; leave unnecessary things behind.
Also, it doesn’t hurt to ask your team for their availability when jumping on a quick call, especially when they’re working flexible hours.
- Provide the right tools and resources
Make sure your remote team has the right tools and resources to do their job effectively. This means that they have access to the software and hardware they need, as well as any training or help they might need. Provide clear instructions on how to use the tools and resources, and be available to answer any questions they may have.
Your company may also provide third-party training and development platforms specific to your industry that your team can access and use to grow their skills.
- Encourage collaboration
Collaboration is essential in any team, but it is especially important in a remote team. Encourage the people on your team to work together and share their knowledge and skills. This will help them work more effectively and can lead to new ideas and solutions.
The thing about a remote team is that your employees may barely know each other as they come from different parts of the world. So encouraging them to collaborate helps them cope with alienation among the team.
- Set boundaries
It is critical for the manager of a remote team to establish boundaries between work and personal life. Make sure your team members know when they are expected to be working and when they are not—especially with varying time zones. Encourage them to take breaks and prioritise their well-being as well.
- Provide feedback
Feedback is important for helping your team members improve and grow. Provide regular feedback on their work, whether it\’s positive or constructive. This will help them understand what they are doing well and where they can improve.
- Lead by example
As a manager, it\’s important to lead by example. This means modelling the behaviour you expect from your team members. If you want your team members to communicate effectively, ensure you communicate effectively with them. If you want them to prioritise their well-being, make sure you are doing the same.
- Be flexible
Flexibility is important when managing a remote team. Understand that your team members may have different schedules and work preferences, and be willing to accommodate them as much as possible. This will help your team members feel valued and supported.
- Foster a sense of community
Remote work can be isolating, so it\’s important to foster a sense of community among your team members. Encourage team-building activities and social events, such as virtual happy hours or game nights. This will help your team members feel connected and engaged, even when working remotely.
- Empower your team
Empower your team by giving them autonomy and ownership over their work. Encourage them to take on new challenges and opportunities, and support them as they do so. This will help your team members feel valued and motivated to do their best work.
- Prioritise work-life balance
As a manager, you must prioritise work-life balance for your team members, as this is the essence of remote working. Encourage them to take breaks and time off when needed and to be flexible with their schedules when possible. This will help them feel more energised and motivated when they are working and can also improve their overall well-being.
- Celebrate success
Finally, it\’s important to celebrate the success of your remote team. Recognise their hard work and achievements, and celebrate milestones and successes together. This will help build a positive and supportive team culture and motivate your team members to continue working hard.
Final thoughts
In the end, managing a remote team requires a balance of structure and flexibility, communication and trust, and accountability and freedom. While it may seem daunting to lead a team from a distance, there are many ways to create a positive and productive work environment for your remote team.
By implementing the top 13 best practices for managing a remote team, you can foster a culture of collaboration, respect, and innovation and help your team members achieve their goals and aspirations.
So don\’t be afraid to take advantage of the benefits of remote work and change your management style to fit the new reality of work. With the right mindset, tools, and approach, you can build a successful remote team that not only meets but exceeds your expectations.