For many in the UK, the future of work is digital and decentralised. As the workplace landscape morphs into this dynamic setting, many business leaders are navigating uncharted waters. They are grappling with challenges like monitoring workloads, ensuring productivity, and preventing employee burnout. The good news? There's a guidebook to assist you through this shift.
In this piece, we delve into tried and tested strategies for overseeing a distributed workforce.
Strategies for Effectively Leading Remote Teams
The aftermath of the pandemic has witnessed countless employees embracing a routine that enhances their work-life balance. For a significant number, this has swiftly emerged as a pivotal aspect of their job perks.Recent research indicated that a whopping 85% of those working from home desire a ongoing option for remote work, citing improved efficiency and increased flexibility as the primary reasons.
This change in perspective has prompted numerous business leaders to rethink their management strategies, exploring the most effective ways to lead remote teams and design hybrid work models that cater to all. Below are seven essential insights to streamline the process.
Trust Your Employees
Micromanaging isn't the solution, whether your team is onsite or remote. Instead of scrutinizing every move, equip your team with the resources they need and have faith that they'll deliver.
Collaborate on Work Approaches
One of the major draws of remote work is the flexibility it offers. Engage in dialogues with your team, understanding their preferences and discussing measures that ensure productivity. Solutions such as shared folders, periodic team meet-ups, or even daily touchpoints might be the answer, depending on what aligns with both the company and the employees.
Maintain Routine
The physical location of your team may have altered, but regular interactions shouldn’t. Virtual tools have made it feasible to retain tried and tested communication methods. Digital one-on-ones, for instance, are almost as effective as face-to-face sessions, assisting you in tracking progress, fostering innovation, and ensuring staff wellbeing.
Stay Connected
Given the remote circumstances, it’s paramount to prioritise mental health. Overwhelm and detachment from work, leading to burnout, are genuine concerns. It's crucial to consistently assess workloads and mental wellness, ensuring that employees remain engaged and well-adjusted.
Encourage Feedback
The widespread shift to remote work was a necessity during the pandemic. It’s revealed the latent desire many employees had for a more adaptable work environment. By actively seeking feedback, companies can understand worker sentiments better and make informed decisions about enhancing the remote work experience.
Establish Transparent Communication Protocols
For any remote work setup to thrive, communication is paramount. It's vital to lay down clear guidelines about communication norms, preferred platforms, and response expectations to maintain efficiency and prevent misunderstandings.
Ensure Resource Availability
To facilitate remote work, employees will need specific tools and equipment, which they will anticipate the employer to provide. Beyond tangible assets, it’s also imperative to ensure that digital tools like chat applications, email, and collaborative platforms are accessible and secure. It's also crucial to lay out usage protocols to guarantee compliance and seamless functionality.
Reframing Employee Benefits for the Remote Age
Today's workforce values tangible perks over gimmicky ones. They appreciate employers who are tuned to their needs and are willing to implement changes that promote a balanced lifestyle.The current trend sees employees prioritising work flexibility, sound health benefits, and financial wellbeing – including their pension plan.
Penfold is an award-winning workplace pension provider that resonates with today's workforce. Offering employers a unique chance to reward their remote teams, allowing them to improve their financial wellbeing and feel more confident in their financial future. Book a demo today to discover Penfold can transform your auto-enrolment pension.
