How are you managing your remote team communication strategies at work?
Working remotely can be a real boon for your business. You’ll save plenty of money on rent and don’t have to worry about office dynamics interfering with productivity.
However, going remote does have its own challenges. Some folks feel isolated when working from home, while others struggle to make remote software work for them.
You can alleviate growing pains and help your staff feel valued by learning to manage your team’s remote communication styles at work. Adapting your approach to each team member’s communication style ensures that everyone feels respected and can help you mitigate the loneliness that some staff experience.
1. Benefits of Open Communication
Regular, open communication is key to high-performing businesses. Without clear communication, your team will become distrustful and confused. This can undermine your productivity and turn remote working into a manager’s nightmare.
Open communication is good for the health of your teams, too. There are some surprising health risks of remote work. Folks who work alone are susceptible to burnout and may feel isolated during the workday. Clear and regular remote communication can help your staff feel like part of the team and reduce the risk of overwork or loneliness.
Clear communication is great for morale, too. It is easier to work hard when everyone’s on the same page, and clear communication from the top sets the tone for the day. Staff who are kept in the loop will also feel more connected to the business and are more likely to be loyal and resilient when times get tough.
2. Get To Know Your Remote Team
You might know how your team communicates when working in person, but those insights don’t necessarily translate when going remote.
You may find that folks who are usually extroverted and engaged in the office are slow to respond to emails and are the last to log on to calls. Or, you may find that introverted employees come out of their shells when working from the comfort of their own homes.
Survey your team members and ask them how they like to communicate when working remotely. You may be surprised to find that some team members loathe emailing but will happily jump on a quick call to discuss a project or an issue they are facing.
Trial new modes of remote communication and see what sticks. Platforms like Asana and Microsoft Teams allow you to create groups, share gifs, send rewards, and work on collaborative documents. Allow your team to make suggestions, too, as they may have ideas that become part of your remote communication policy.
3. Remote Team Communication Policies
When was the last time you reviewed your remote communication policies? Most managers simply adjust outdated directions and have made little effort to rewrite communication protocol since going remote.
Set aside some time to learn about effective remote team communication practices, and adjust your approach to adapt to remote teams. Set up regular video conferencing calls and prioritize clarity over all else. Avoid cryptic or confusing written communication, as remote workers may find it difficult to assess your tone over emails and instant messages.
Create clear equity, diversity and inclusion policies (EDI) that bolster your communication standards. If you are unfamiliar with EDI practices, consider investing in some retraining. You need to know how to send gender-inclusive communications and should understand the impact that your language can have on your team.
Championing EDI in your communications can help you build a tight-knit team that trusts and respects one another.
4. Relationship Building
Going remote doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice the relationships you’ve formed as a team. Instead, you just need to adjust your approach and find new ways to build relationships while working remotely.
Cultivate healthier relationships with employees by setting clear boundaries. Remote workers are prone to overworking, as it is easy to log on after hours to read emails or contribute to work-related chats. However, this will lead to burnout and resentment in the long run, as the remote staff still need time away from work to recoup after a busy day.
If you run a hybrid workplace, ensure that remote workers are invited to every event and team-building activity that you have planned. Make accommodations so remote workers can participate as part of the wider team, and encourage participation in community-building initiatives outside of working hours.
Remember to check in on your remote team more regularly than your in-person peers. You can’t read a person’s body language through emails and may struggle to connect with remote teams during calls with multiple participants.
Set aside a portion of your week for some one-on-one time to catch up and discuss career goals or concerns.
Conclusion
Remote teams are just as reliant on clear communication as their in-person equivalents. Learn to recognize your remote team communication style, and survey your staff to see which approach they enjoy the most.
Remember to revise your remote team communication strategies and policies to account for remote staff and be sure to follow EDI guidelines in all emails, calls, and messages.
Ainsley Lawrence is a writer who loves to talk about good health, balanced life, and better living through technology. She is frequently lost in a good book.
