If we ask managers, “should you delegate tasks to remote team members?” the answer is almost always a resounding, "Yes!" After all, they are smart, talented people and we’re paying them to add value to the team— of course we should delegate to them. The reality doesn’t always reflect this, though. Many remote workers complain that the plum assignments go to “those suck-ups in … [Read more...]
Managing Across Borders
With technology is making it easier to do business, companies looking for growth or cost savings are expanding internationally at increasing frequency. In fact, the number of employees on international assignments has grown as part of the continuing trend toward globalization. This is increasing the number of remote teams facing the challenge of working across borders. And of … [Read more...]
Helping Remote Workers Feel Like First-Class Citizens
One of the most common complaints remote workers have is they sometimes feel like “second-class citizens,” compared to the people who go to the central location every day. Whether it’s true or not, (and the people in the home office probably are prepared to argue the point) the perception of unfairness is the same as if it’s a reality. So why do remote workers feel they aren’t … [Read more...]
How to Keep Remote Workers from Feeling Isolated
by Chuck Chapman, Content Strategy Coordinator I'm over a year now into my career as a remote worker, and I have to admit: sometimes it feels a little lonely. Spending each day in front of a screen in my basement office can leave me feeling a little bit like Tom Hanks in Castaway. But thanks to my dog, a relational work culture fostered by leadership, and some … [Read more...]
How Not to Micro-Manage Remote Employees (And Still Know What’s Going On)
Nobody wants to be a micro-manager. We want to trust our employees (even when they’re remote and we can’t always know what’s going on). We know they’ll do a great job, and we want to be seen as supportive but not over-bearing. It often comes as something of a shock when we’re accused of being micro-managers. The problem may well be how your hard, well-intentioned work is being … [Read more...]