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...]
Why Remote Teammates Should Give Feedback
Working remotely by definition means you aren’t in constant contact with your manager or the members of your team. Sometimes, let’s face it, that’s a blessing, and the whole reason you work from home. But as social animals, we all need some contact with the outside world in order to do good work and build the social relationships that make work effective and pleasant. One of … [Read more...]
Don’t Let a $9 Mouse Blow Up Your Team
You've heard of the proverbial "straw that broke the camel's back"? Wayne shares a true story about how one little tech item was the "last straw" for one remote worker and how remote leaders can proactively make sure little things don't add up to big problems. https://youtu.be/MhMkxItmj58?rel=0&showinfo=0 … [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...]
Recovering When Remote Work Goes Wrong
How do you go about fixing work that goes off the rails when you’re not face to face or you work on a remote team? We spend a lot of time around here giving out advice about how to make things work well. And, best as we can, we try to live up to our own high standards. Recently, I goofed. This seems like a good chance for a little radical honesty. The details don’t matter … [Read more...]