Remote working has seen a massive rise in the past few years, wherein an individual has the ability to work from outside their office building. In general, you can say that remote working is the arrangement where an employee can perform all their assigned work from outside the traditional office setting. It can be their home or any other location with the help of Internet access. This generally works due to the availability of various digital tools like collaborative platforms, cloud-based software, video conferencing, etc.
Remote working has seen a rise due to the advancement of technology, where high-speed Internet has enabled seamless communication using various platforms like Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom, etc. Some companies prefer work from home because it reduces the cost for the companies.
Remote working has had a substantial impact, where employees have now more flexibility and opportunities to work for companies all over the globe. It is a good way to improve work-life balance. This method is used by many employers for cost savings, as they now have access to a larger pool of talent. In general, remote working provides a lot of benefits to society, like low carbon emissions, less traffic congestion, rural and urban development, etc.
Avoid These 10 Mistakes When Leading a Remote Workforce
- Unclear communication
- Ignoring different time zones
- Failing to create trust
- Inconsistent use of tools
- Overloading employees with meetings
- Relying on a one-size-fits-all approach
- Ignoring recognition and feedback
- Forgetting to define boundaries
- Not measuring team performance
- Failing to resolve conflicts quickly
Unclear communication
Unclear communication can be considered one of the most important mistakes that one needs to worry about on our list of 10 mistakes when leading a remote workforce. Lack of clear communication can result in unclear expectations wherein a lot of assumptions take place. This can often result in employees being required to provide unnecessary updates, which leads to a wastage of time. A correct solution would be to use concise yet detailed communication that is provided to every individual and provide employees with a clear set of goals that they need to follow. These will create effective time management, where the main focus will be on the outcome.
Ignoring different time zones
The next mistake on our list of the top 10 mistakes when leading a remote workforce is ignoring different time zones. One must understand, especially when they have employees working across the globe, that different time zones are being considered. Failing to recognize that can result in overburdening or an employee missing out on work or meetings because of the difference in time zone. A proper solution will be using scheduling tools to avoid overlapping working hours.
Failing to create trust
The third crucial mistake that one needs to avoid is failing to create trust. This results in assumptions and ignoring of remote working employees. To avoid this, a good solution will be regularly creating team bonding and virtual activities, celebrating milestones, setting realistic goals that are to be judged based on performance, and avoiding employees being questioned over their screen time, especially when they are performing well.
Inconsistent use of tools
Inconsistent use of tools is another mistake on our list of 10 mistakes when leading a remote workforce. Using excessive and incorrect digital tools for communication and collaboration or failing to use the right necessary tool can result in a wastage of time. To avoid such mistakes, training related to correct software is a necessity. As well as a requirement of standardized tools to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Overloading employees with meetings
The fifth mistake on our list of the top 10 mistakes when leading a remote workforce is overloading employees with meetings. When an employee has to attend too many virtual meetings, then it can result in burnout and fatigue. A good solution to this will be to keep purposeful and small meetings with clear communication. There should be correct breaks between meetings so that the employee has time to gather his focus.
Relying on a one-size-fits-all approach
The sixth mistake to be added to this list is relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. When assuming every employee works the same and requires the same treatment, it can lead to a lot of confusion. A fair solution can be to customize the approach as per their individual level and to ensure that employees are recognized and understood better; one must be assigning mentors and buddies.
Ignoring recognition and feedback
Ignoring recognition and feedback is a mistake that one has to avoid when leading a remote workforce. Forgetting to acknowledge the contribution of remote workers or not providing career development opportunities for the remote employees can lead to disinterest and a dip in the overall performance. A solution to this can be providing regular recognition publicly and providing structured feedback. All the employees should be provided with the necessary tools regarding various development programs and leadership opportunities.
Forgetting to define boundaries
The eighth mistake on our list of 10 mistakes when leading a remote workforce is forgetting to define boundaries. Boundaries are crucial for every individual. Employees cannot be available. 24/7. Such expectations can lead to mental health breakdown and fatigue for the employees. To avoid this, one must encourage employees to set respective work hours and boundaries.
Not measuring team performance
The ninth mistake on our list is not measuring team performance when working remotely; one cannot set unrealistic expectations, and focusing just on the hours and not on the result can cause an employee to lose interest towards the company. A solution to this will be providing clear communication for their priorities and setting various KPIs to evaluate their performance.
Failing to resolve conflicts quickly
The final mistake on our list of 10 mistakes when leading a remote workforce is failing to resolve conflicts quickly. Resolving conflicts remotely can be harder, but just because it is difficult, resolving conflicts must not be avoided for remote-working employees. A solution to handling conflicts promptly can be direct and personal communication with all parties involved and taking the necessary steps to resolve such issues as soon as possible.