Empowering Remote Workers- How to Support a Productive Team

Remote and hybrid work models are going nowhere, even after the pandemic. According to a performance-based remote work survey in 2020, 67% of employers reported that productivity had been the same and 27% stated that it was even higher with employees working remotely. That’s impressive, right?

Not surprisingly, countless organizations continue to run with the model. But even as remote work saves tons of money and space for companies, employee support continues to be challenging. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, boss, because you may need to do a lot of hard work to support your employees physically, emotionally, and technically.

Lucky for you, we’ve got some valuable tips to help you cover all fronts. Let’s dive in!

Be accessible and available

Not being in the same office with your colleagues elevates the risk of miscommunication. Moreover, employees often feel edgy and isolated when working alone in the long run.

They miss the water cooler chats, team bonding activities, and even just staying in touch. Professionally, a lack of communication can cause bottlenecks and conflicts.

The best way to support your team members is by being accessible and available to them. Also, listen to them and ensure good communication between team members to ditch the gaps.

Trust your team

Micromanaging is the worst way to lead, right? And it goes against being supportive. But managers often end up micromanaging their remote team because they can’t physically see what everyone is working on.

Foster trust in your team to get their work done. Also, give them the autonomy to do things their way. As long as they deliver on time and quality, you shouldn’t hover over them.

Supporting a remote team is about setting clear expectations and stepping back to let people work. And when they do a great job, give them the recognition they deserve.

Invest in the right tools

Investing in the right tools is another crucial step when it comes to providing support to your remote team. It includes communication apps, video conferencing software, and project management tools. Additionally, using reliable hardware like Yealink ensures seamless and professional communication.

Also, invest in an Unattended Remote Access solution to facilitate seamless IT support to remote workers. Typically, they will encounter tech issues at some point, and your IT support team should be right there to help.

Having a robust solution ensures early resolution, minimal downtimes, and zero productivity loss.

Provide WFH facilities

Think beyond tech tools and IT support for your remote team, business leaders! You can go the extra mile by providing them with WFH facilities such as ergonomic equipment and stipends for home office supplies.

It enables them to work comfortably and create a dedicated, distraction-free workspace at home. A remote team’s success depends on its ability to handle its job well, and that starts with having the right resources.

Foster a sense of community

Just because employees aren’t physically in the same space doesn’t mean they should feel disconnected. Making them feel like a part of a community is a much-needed support initiative.

Schedule regular team-building activities and encourage people to get to know each other beyond their work roles. Feeling like a part of a cohesive group makes workers more engaged and motivated, regardless of the physical distance. Let them know the importance of self care as well.

Remember, managing a remote team isn’t always easy, so don’t expect shortcuts, boss. But being supportive makes you a good leader and sets your team up for success. Try these hacks to build a team of winners. You’ve got this!