5 tips for productively managing a remote team

The changes brought about by the pandemic have created a new reality for both employees and managers. For the latter, this is even more true, as, in addition to their direct responsibilities, middle and senior managers must also focus on "gathering" their dispersed teams, boosting morale, and occasionally resolving psychological issues. These additional duties inevitably increase mental strain and bring burnout closer. How can one balance achieving team results with employee well-being and "recharging one's own batteries"? Ineta Juškēviča, HR Director at Visma Enterprise, shares her perspective on this issue.

Informal gatherings

When an entire workday is spent in front of a screen, it might seem that no one would want to spend more time on informal work events. However, such an assumption may prove hasty. A large portion of the workforce is accustomed to a team environment, socializing with colleagues, and being around people. Remote work has taken this opportunity away, and many long for meetings with familiar faces—including their colleagues.

To prevent friendly team bonds from weakening, managers should initiate informal events. These can range from playing entertaining online board games to various outdoor orienteering activities, maintaining a safe distance while still being close enough to talk and enjoy each other's presence. One or two events a month is enough to feel the fading team spirit, yet infrequent enough not to encroach on family time.

Some teams create digital employee name day and birthday calendars so that colleagues do not forget to congratulate one another. While in the office we might see a cake being brought in, in a remote setting, celebrations are easily forgotten.

Taking care of yourself

When caring for mental and physical well-being, a manager must start with themselves. Just as in an airplane emergency, you must put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. A tired manager is a poor manager—irritable, prone to mistakes, and quick to "burn out." That is precisely why they must carefully manage their working hours and find ways to "recharge their batteries." This could include sports, meditation, resting in nature in complete silence, spiritual balance courses, and similar solutions. These were relevant to managers even in "peacetime," but have now become an absolute necessity.

Delegating responsibilities

Months of remote work have shown that the managers who struggle the most are those who engage in micromanagement. While in the office one could quickly walk around to every desk and gather information on work status, doing so remotely requires more time and effort. By closely monitoring the entire team's work, one can effectively manage a group of 8–10 people, but no more.

This is precisely why this is a good time to learn to trust employees. A good start is to identify each employee's strengths and delegate tasks that they will take ownership of and perform best. Trust will reduce the burden on the manager and increase employee motivation.

Inspiring and being inspired

Inspiration plays an invaluable role when uncertainty and gloom prevail. But how can one find it? A mentor or an external spiritual guide who can provide valuable advice, find solutions in non-standard circumstances, or simply alleviate stress can be helpful. Of course, such people are not easy to find, and rarely is everything one needs combined in a single person. Therefore, inspiration can be pieced together like a puzzle by participating in various interest groups or webinars on relevant topics. Often, wise colleagues met during one's career, former mentors, and authorities can be of great help.

Inspiration does not always have to be sought in the professional sphere. One should not underestimate good films, literature, and podcasts. Nowadays, through these, one can access the thoughts and recommendations of the world's brightest minds. They will certainly help in looking at various life and work situations from a completely unexpected perspective.

As for inspiring employees, one could try taking walks in nature with each subordinate individually. Talk less about work matters and more about pleasant topics—hobbies, future plans, desires, and dreams.

Work-life balance

For those new to remote work, the biggest challenge is sticking to designated working hours. Since one ends up helping children, cooking lunch, and doing various household chores throughout the day, it can feel as though 8 hours have not been fully dedicated to work. To compensate for this, the workday drags on and often ends only late in the evening. Consequently, there is less time for rest, and fatigue accumulates.

To prevent this, it is advisable to plan activities in your free time that will keep you from overworking. For example, go to a playground with the children at 6:00 PM. The little ones will not hesitate to remind you that it is time to turn off the computer and focus on them. An evening run with a partner or any other planned joint household activity will also help limit the hours dedicated to work.