There are so many things to love about employing talent from across the globe. From the benefit of being able to manage your team while in your pajamas to the freedom of doing more important things for your business, there are tons of other benefits you can get from hiring remote staff.
However, you must also keep in mind that there could be geographical challenges that you will have to deal with when you work with a team that’s actually a plane ride away from you. Effective communication may get tricky at times. Building a really supportive team culture when you’re all so far away from each other may be tougher than you think.
As the “boss” of remote workers, you wouldn’t constantly be at an arm’s length dishing out directions and seeing your employees work. You will be often out of sight – which means, you need to learn how to successfully manage your team under these circumstances.
Fortunately for you, with our over 10 years of remote staffing experience, we’ve landed on some tricks and tips that may be able to help you hold yourself accountable in managing your own remote team. These tips will encourage you to own both your failures and successes – all while you’re away from your employees.
Here are five tips for holding yourself accountable in a remote environment:
This is one very important question you need to ask yourself.
“Am I proud of the team I am handling?”
Being able to hold yourself accountable demands a deep level of self-awareness. You need to make a conscious effort in ensuring that you’re overseeing your team very well – even if you are 10,000 miles away from them.
Ask yourself, “Am I proud of my team?”
It doesn’t matter if this question applies to an acknowledgment you made for an employee who did a job well done or the way you handled an issue that had been resolved instantaneously, asking yourself this question confirms that you are confident in your ability to handle a team of remote workers – and not just relying on your staffing partner alone.
Establish your presence even when you’re a thousand miles away.
While you may be able to manage your team while you’re sipping a cup of coffee in Sydney and your remote workers are in the Philippines, you should be able to set-up a regular checking of how far they’ve progressed in their work or where they stand in the jobs you ask them to do. This gives them a sense of belonging, which is helpful in making them feel like they are a valuable member of a team. Aside from that, this is also an opportunity for you to help your remote staff grow as you can give them feedback on areas in which they would need improvements. These casual conversations are amazing ways to establish a deeper harmonious working relationship with your remote staff, ensuring that both of your expectations are managed – despite the fact that you’re countries away from each other.
Have Your Own Set of Goals and Limitations.
It’s very important to set your own objectives and deadlines. Letting your employees know when they need to submit a given task helps them manage their time too. It’s a tactic that’s helpful in any environment, not just in the remote work industry. When something lands on your employees’ to-do list without any due date, they might push this task behind, until it gets forgotten. Be accountable in giving clear directions, so that you can manage your own expectations, too.
Ask when in doubt.
It’s undeniable that when something confuses you while you’re far away from your remote employees, it’s easier to sweep things under the rug and just let it pass. However, you should keep in mind that in remote staffing the golden rule is to OVER COMMUNICATE when you’re unsure. Here at Remote Staff, our friendly account managers will be more than happy to talk to you, answer all your questions, and assist you in all your remote staffing requirements.
Sometimes, it can be difficult to take ownership of your own mistakes, but being able to communicate about them effectively is always going to turn out for the best rather than letting them slide under the radar.
Remote staffing comes with plenty of advantages for you and your business – but just like in any business, there would be challenges you need to overcome. Holding yourself accountable, and putting these tips into play will solidify your reputation as a reliable remote employer.
Should there be anything you wish to be helped with, contact your accounts manager now.
