Another guide to remote work? Yes, but with a twist.
Another guide to remote work? Yes, another one. We know that since the Coronavirus pandemic disrupted the way companies do business, remote working has increased and everyone is sharing these guides. Even so, we promise that you will find some tips here that you won't get tired of reading.
We certainly made countless mistakes and tried many things that didn't work out. But it is precisely this experience that puts us in an unbeatable position to share tips that really work in real life. So we focused on tips for remote team managers who are doing this for the first time or for those who have some experience but want to freshen things up a bit.
Without further ado, let's dive into these 5 tips we promise will work for you during this pandemic and beyond.
1. Set “available” times and stick to them
When people start working remotely, they have a lot of feelings. For the first time, there is the great joy of being able to work without having to travel (or take off your pajamas, in fact). Then there is the perceived freedom to do whatever they want, as they don't have prying eyes prying into everything they do. However, they can also feel lost about things that were quite menial in the office.
From checking in with teammates (should they call, text, email, video connect?) to lunch, working remotely can change everything. But that’s it – it can only happen if you let it. One of the things we found that helped us the most was setting “available” times and getting people to stick to them.
Because people who work from home do not have a clear start and end of the day, they may work 24 hours a day and even well beyond the hours they should work. We certainly know this in software development. So the way to keep things clear and organized for everyone is to set strict times when everyone can email or call. By doing this, you are sending a clear message – you expect everyone to be available during a specific time, but no one will get in trouble if they don't respond outside of that time.
2. Cameras on for meetings
It seems too obvious to be a “golden tip,” but you’d be surprised how many people don’t turn on their cameras during a call. Maybe they're shy, they don't like it, or they simply forgot. Whatever the reason, meetings are always better when everyone can see each other (especially in difficult times like these).
So make it a routine to ask everyone to turn on their cameras during a meeting or one-on-one calls. Even though you end up looking at your respective screens and not each other, the sight of the people on the other end of the line humanizes the whole thing. Plus, humans are very visual creatures, so you'll be able to communicate more clearly if you can see your team's reactions and gestures.
One suggestion that comes from this – ask everyone in a meeting to have their own individual camera, whether it’s their phone or laptop. Even if some of them are in the same office (we're guessing this won't happen during quarantine, but still), make sure you get different cameras. This way, people working remotely can be more engaged and keep tabs on who is talking and what they are saying at all times.
3. Don't hesitate to add people to calls
On a normal day at the office, you might approach one of your employees to talk about something. The next thing you know, you're discussing a work issue that could benefit from another team member's input. You don't hesitate for a second – you go to their table and ask if they can join you and share their opinion on the matter. It seems natural and obvious, right?
However, when working remotely, people often forget this, either because they feel that adding a person to a call or meeting is a hassle or worse – because they don't fully consider the option. This can happen a lot, even under normal circumstances. Don't let this happen to you.
Make it a routine to say, “Wait, Sarah certainly has some ideas about this,” stop the meeting, and contact the remote worker to see if they can participate. start doing this too – even if you're not on call. Of course, this works best if everyone shares the same tools and platforms, so it's easier to add someone at any time (hence you should also take away that you need to check that everyone uses the same communication tools).
4. Understand that you will have longer meetings
If you're like us, you don't want to waste a lot of time in long meetings that go nowhere. You want to get into the meeting room, say what needs to be said, discuss it, and leave in a reasonable amount of time with something actionable on your list. Unfortunately, things get more complicated with remote work.
So why? Because people will use meetings to talk about other things, like discussing a movie they just watched or the latest book they bought. This is especially true in times of quarantine, but it can also happen under normal circumstances — and you should be totally okay with that. Online meetings replace in-person interactions, so it's understandable that they're a bit hampered by these things.
Additionally, you will also have to come to terms with the idea that you will have to periodically reach out in one-on-one sessions with your remote employees. This is highly advisable as they will see how approachable you are and that you care about what they have to say. These meetings will also likely be longer, as you'll cover business-related topics but also have some (much needed) conversations.
5. Experiment, make mistakes, adjust, try again
Some of the things you take for granted at any company won't be as obvious when working remotely. So make sure you keep an open mind and try new things. Maybe use different communication tools or organize online matches in your team's favorite game to build relationships. You may find that starting work earlier (or later) positively impacts your productivity.
Whatever change you can imagine, don't hesitate to try. You'll probably make mistakes here and there, and that's okay. You will always have the ability to adjust and move forward. In this process, it is very important to listen to your team and how they feel. They might have some ideas to make remote collaboration more efficient or fun or something. Make sure you make them feel heard.
And remember that you can be the change you want to see. Since you are in a management position, your employees will look to you for answers to their remote problems. Make sure you have the digital door open to support them with what they need. It may seem strange at first, especially if you're a more personable manager, but you'll get the hang of it.
There are no recipes for success
Remote work itself is challenging and can be intimidating for people used to working in an office. Just be sure to communicate these tips for what they are – suggestions. They can increase your efficiency (they certainly did for us), but if they don't feel right, adapt them to your reality.
