Challenges with Remote Team Members and How to Overcome Them

With the benefits of modern technology able to span global time differences; working remotely is becoming “the norm” for many project managers with the majority of them being away from the office at least once a week. In an office; physical proximity with colleagues is a given but the following hints will also help to maintain a unified team amongst remote workers so that any project can be successfully worked through to completion.

Overlap time schedules

It is unrealistic to expect everyone to be online at the same time but detailing time zones and locations and overlapping time schedules means people can catch up in real time and ensure they all stay on track.

Create a sense of continued connection

Remote workers miss out on the many small but meaningful interactions in a shared office space but there are other ways to bond such as a shared social media group, dedicated virtual birthdays and other special events. One thing worth mentioning however is that the manager must lead by example – if they don’t join in – the employees are unlikely to either.

Communicating effectively

There is no beating face to face communication where tone of voice and non-verbal clues means there is less misinterpretation and second guessing. One piece of advice from project management training is to always carry out one to one meetings via video conferencing so managers can convey what they need to get across and read employees responses just as accurately. Remote workers can be asked to dial in using video call to attend team meetings held in the office so that they truly feel they are taking part even if they do have to make their own cup of coffee.

Set guidelines

Part of effective communication involves setting guidelines and expectations which actually helps to build trust. You don’t want to leave your team floundering and confused so it is actually better to over clarify what you desire in terms of frequency of contact and the collaboration tools you want your team to use.

Choose the right remote workers

A team member may be great in a physical office environment but then cause productivity to fall because they struggle with the environment when working from a virtual office. It is important to choose your remote workers carefully and if hiring new people – discuss with HR regarding how you can select team members who display the right attributes for the job.

Ensure everyone is tech savvy

Navigating technology confidently is even more important when you can’t call a colleague over to your desk to help you out. One way of getting everyone up to speed is considering project management courses – after all – it is man, woman and machines that will get the job done. If you all receive remote training at the same time, this will not only give you the opportunity to build team spirit but also address any concerns with the IT platform you’re using – allowing you to all be on the same page when it comes to using it.