As the world finally heads towards post-pandemic normalcy, the debate surrounding remote work, which skyrocketed during the pandemic, still persists. CEOs of many major tech companies, including Tim Cook of Apple, are looking forward to continue reaping the benefits of a hybrid work setup. According to Statista, 48.8% of employers consider remote work an important factor in future employment decisions1.

Employees prefer remote work because it offers a much more harmonious blend in terms of work-life balance1. However, managers are still expected to ensure that workers maintain a high level of performance while simultaneously allowing employees the flexibility to enjoy this balance.

Building and managing remote teams may not come naturally to many managers, but it is not difficult when you know what works. You can optimize your remote team’s performance by considering the following:

Foster Their Purpose

The motivation behind high-performing professionals stems from their sense of purpose in their work. When they know that their company and co-workers benefit from their hard work and that their work has a positive impact on the world at large, they experience greater satisfaction. They become more motivated to do it to the best of their abilities.

Gain Trust

Gaining the trust of remote employees can be challenging as there are no face-to-face interactions. This is where the emotional intelligence of a manager plays a key role.

Communicate Expectations Clearly

Communication is key, whether it’s for conveying a company’s strategy or an individual’s responsibilities. According to the Global Employee Engagement Survey conducted by Kicentric, 66% of employees responded that managers could create excitement about the organization’s future, which directly leads to more engagement from their employees.

Equip with the Right Tools

Provide your remote team with the digital infrastructure so that they can perform their work efficiently and without any delay. Software tools like Asana, G Suite, Trello, etc., are extremely popular today for everything from setting work procedures to fostering collaboration.

Nurture Interpersonal Connections

Remote work can get lonely for some people. Managers should encourage the development of healthy work relationships among members geographically dispersed.

Conclusion

High-performance teams are not built in a day. They are the work of leaders and managers adopting the right management strategies, instilling team cohesion, and showing support and guidance towards team members along the way. When CTOs and managers can foster a high-performance remote team, the benefits are many: reduced failures, competitive advantage, improved team productivity, increased profitability and better customer service.

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