The last couple of weeks we’ve discussed the challenges of managing from afar and provided tips on how to build a strong team when members live and work remotely.
Today, let’s focus on how to create strong relationships with individual employees.
Building relationships. Good managers know that -like any relationship- a good work relationship is based on mutual trust and respect which is usually established during the hiring and onboarding process. So, be well prepared for the new employee: make sure workspace, computers/laptops and other basics are in place before they show up; carefully plan a schedule of events and people to meet the first few days/weeks; do whatever would make someone feel welcomed and valued. It can be demoralizing for a remote employee to show up excited on their first day only to realize no one expected him. It only confirms fears of being marginalized.
How about creating relationships with remote –perhaps jaded– employees that you’ve “inherited”? Prepare for lots of travel, at least initially. You’ll need to forge face-to-face rapport with each individual and gain their trust and respect. Then you can maintain a relationship long distance.
Maintaining relationships. When we see employees everyday, we can tell when they look tired or worried. A different demeanor gives an early signal that something is up. You won’t have that advantage as a remote manager, so you have to compensate by staying in touch, asking questions, and by making it easy for remote employees to reach you and communicate with you; yes, across time zones, when you’re having dinner or when you might rather be sleeping. If performance issues arise, address them immediately. You can’t afford to delay or temporarily ignore them, ahem, as we’re often prone to do.
Sound too burdensome? Remote management isn’t for everybody. You’ll have to be part counselor, part drill-sergeant. Plus you’ll need more energy, spend more time away from home, and have more interruptions on personal time than a regular manager. So what’s the payoff? The satisfaction of orchestrating big things with a diverse group of people across a large space. And of course, developing the management skills of the future.
© Copyright Eva Del Rio
