Modern Day Remote Management: What Makes a Good Leader?

Close your eyes and picture what you believe to be the typical work setting. Are you envisioning fluorescent lights blaring down on rows of gray cubicles? Or perhaps a corner office with a big desk and a city view from fifty floors up in a skyscraper. Turns out, neither of these are the typical work setting. In fact, the majority of service and web-based companies are comprised of a team working partly or entirely from a remote location. This poses challenges for management. With a team spread all over, how do you create employee engagement and keep them working together?

For starters, a strong leader should create an environment for each employee that makes him or her feel like part of the team, even if they are working remotely. Make sure you take the time to get to know your employees with small talk. Connect with them face-to-face if possible, or at least over video conference.  Encourage and reward your team for their efforts and good work.  Come up with a benefit unique for your employees to show them how much you value them and their input.  When in doubt, try to utilize the 10 C’s of Employee Engagement, according to the Ivey Business Journal. We will use Joe, a local contractor, as our example of how you can implement the 10 C’s with your team on GetAssist.

10 C’s of Employee Engagement:

1. Connect:

Employees must feel connected to the company they work for. This can be achieved through profit sharing or work-life balance initiatives. Where it makes sense, Joe offers his employees the option to build their own schedules, working either early morning or evening, so long as the job gets done. This promotes a healthy relationship with his crew, and his team appreciates having flexible hours. This can all be scheduled in the company community’s shared calendar on GetAssist.

2. Career:

Leaders should provide challenging work with opportunities for advancement in the company. Joe provides education to his employees that show interest in growing their skillset. This allows his employees to learn more trades, take on more responsibilities and advance in their careers. His employees can indicate their interest in offerings in polls posted in their employee engagement community on GetAssist.

3. Clarity:

Leaders must communicate a clear vision of the goals of the company and how to achieve these goals. Joe has a plan of action from day one of taking on a new project. He is responsible for the communication of information to all vendors and parties involved throughout the building project.  By successfully communicating his goals to everyone, he can ensure that his project goals are met, and his employees avoid confusion and frustration. Instead, with a job well done, they feel proud and successful. Joe can keep everyone on track with GetAssist’s Project Logs productivity tool.

Project Logs on GetAssist

4. Convey:

Good leaders convey procedures that help employees master important tasks.

Procedural documents and explainer videos can be posted on the Bulletin Board in the company community on GetAssist.

5. Congratulate:

Great leaders give recognition. Joe, the contractor, has a monthly newsletter that highlights employees and vendors he works with that did an exceptional job.

6. Contribute:

Employees want to feel like they are contributing to a company in a meaningful way. Joe uses a virtual suggestion box in his private employee engagement company community on GetAssist. He wants to make sure that his employees feel he is doing his best to include them.

7. Control:

Employees want control over the flow and pace of their jobs. What Joe does to make his employees feel like they have control over their career, is simply ask about their needs, and accommodates them whenever possible.

8. Collaborate:

When employees work in teams that have trust and cooperation from team members, they outperform individuals. Joe knows he cannot accomplish a project by himself. He is in constant collaboration with his team of plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and other vendors using the Project Logs tool on GetAssist.

9. Credibility:

Leaders should strive to maintain a company’s superior reputation. People want to be proud of the company they are a part of. Joe has a reputation for being one of the best contractors in his area. Vendors are excited to be apart of his team because they know it will only enhance their own reputation. Joe’s company has many positive reviews on GetAssist.

10. Confidence:

A good leader should build trust with their staff and with the public. Joe takes pride in what he has built, and wants to be an outstanding businessman at work and when he is off the clock. He helps out in his community by volunteering and by being an exemplary citizen. He can connect with local charities and interest groups on GetAssist and discuss ways his company can give back. People are eager to do business with him and work for him because he has earned their confidence.

Take a look at one of the top-rated companies in employee relations that have mastered The 10 C’s of Employee Engagement. Southwest Airlines, which has thousands of employees all over the world, engages their employees by asking for their input. For example, employees were asked to design their new work uniforms. The employees’ personalities were able to shine and they felt valued. They also have an elaborate recognition program for all employees who are recognized by customers. These employees are featured in newsletters, applauded by the CEO in videos played at staff meetings, and are even celebrated by having dinners honoring them!

What can your small business do to keep your remote team engaged?

With GetAssist’s Private Company Communities and newly released Project Logs Feature, you can stay in touch and keep everyone on track to complete their part of shared projects.

Employees are a company’s most valuable asset. Connect with purpose and keep them engaged, so they know you know that!