What do you do when your remote direct reports seem surprised by the feedback they get? They shouldn’t but some people seem to know exactly what and how they’re doing, while others seem oblivious. What’s a leader to do? Lately I’ve been teaching a lot of our Coaching and Feedback at a Distance sessions., and no matter who these folks are or what industry they’re in, the … [Read more...]
Really Awful, Terrible, Horrible Advice for Remote Workers
I am in the advice business. Over the years I’ve heard—even given—some terrible guidance. But there’s one thing I hear from a lot of new remote workers, and it’s awful, terrible, horrible advice: “Keep your head down, do your job, and your work will speak for itself.” This might sound like reasonable for remote workers at first glance, but let’s break down why it’s incorrect … [Read more...]
Trust is Easier with Evidence
For a remote team to function well, trust is one of the most important factors. We leaders need to believe that people are working when we can’t see them, that the quality of the work will be high, that people are accountable for the deadlines and outputs that others require to achieve the team’s goals. Conversely, they need to believe that their manager will support them, help … [Read more...]
If You’re Not at Your Desk, Are You Working?
When it comes to working remotely, one of the biggest differences between successful leaders and those who burn out, making themselves (and everyone else) crazy, is how much time they spend worrying about “if people are working.” It’s not that we’re not concerned about how people spend their time, it’s just usually the wrong question. If we break that question down to what … [Read more...]
Don’t Let Long-Distance Performance Reviews Ruin Your Holidays
Tis the season… Relax, this isn’t another “prep for the holidays” blog post. It’s worse. Because while everyone around you goes into holiday mode, you have to prepare for the worst thing about the end of the year—performance reviews and development plans for yourself and your people. If you lead a long-distance or dispersed team, this can be even more stressful. As with most … [Read more...]