More than 36 million Americans are expected to be working remotely by 2025. If you haven’t already started honing your skills as a remote leader, now is the time to begin. After all, your employees are only as good as the person who leads them. There are plenty of ways that you can grow your skills as a leader.
Know the Qualities of a Strong Remote Leader
To be a good remote leader, you first must understand which qualities one possesses. A good remote leader is someone who is extraverted, lively, energetic, and assertive when needed. The right leader is also confident, responsible, and well-organized. Employees need to be able to trust in their leaders, which means you must also be understanding, able to adapt quickly, and have good communication skills.
Develop Good Time Management Skills
Time management skills are an essential part of being a good team leader. Luckily, if you are working remotely, it is easier to make yourself appear more pulled together than you are. All you need is business attire from the waist up and some Zoom backgrounds on Mac that will hide your dirty laundry or kids’ toy piles behind you. Of course, that won’t solve the issue of you being behind on deadlines, so you’ll also need to ensure you have a solid work schedule for getting the job done.
Keep Yourself Available and Visible
If you want to be a good leader, it’s important not only to remain available for your team but to be visible to them. When it comes to availability, answer your work emails as soon as possible, be active on any company social media that your team uses, and answer phone calls during work hours. Visibility is easier than it seems, too. You can post pictures on social media, but perhaps most important is choosing a Google Meet office background and turning on your camera during department meetings. It’s easier for employees to pay attention when they can physically see you.
Lead By Example
The best thing you can do to maintain a well-organized and motivated team of employees is to lead by example. When you put your best foot forward and show that you care about the job, the clients, and the team, it improves morale. Employees who feel good about the company they work for and the people they work under are more likely to be happier and therefore more productive. Avoid bringing a bad attitude to the job unless you want one in return.
Trust in Your Team
Research shows that managers tend to trust their remote workers less than they trust those who work in the office. This typically leads to doing “casual” check-ins too often, which then hinders the remote workers’ performance. The reality is that many people who work from home feel happier in their jobs and are therefore more productive. When you trust your team, offer encouraging words when needed, and aren’t checking in multiple times per day, you leave your employees free to get more work done.
From honing your communication skills to learning to create a more professional meeting with a Google Meet custom background, there is a lot you can do to make yourself a better leader. When you make changes in yourself, you’re more likely to see positive changes in your team.