In a context where telecommuting and hybrid models are becoming the norm, companies need to rethink their approach to remote management. To maintain productivity,commitment and team cohesion, it’s crucial to adopt best practices that foster effective communication, a climate of trust and the use of appropriate collaborative tools. Here are five essential strategies for successful remote management.

Telecommuting and hybrid models have changed the way ESNs and consulting firms work. To maintain the motivation, cohesion and productivity of remote teams, it is crucial to adopt appropriate managerial practices. This article explores five essential best practices for effective remote management, focusing on listening, tools, meeting organization, rituals and gamification.

Listening, supporting and caring

As a manager, your main role is to remain available and attentive to your colleagues, especially during periods of confinement. It’s essential to provoke exchanges to identify the difficulties encountered and propose appropriate solutions. Encourage non-judgmental verbalization of emotions, while being demanding, honest and transparent. This approach helps maintain morale and team cohesion.

By developing listening and communication skills, you can also encourage more participative management practices. Invite your employees to propose initiatives and embark on new projects, thereby strengthening their commitment and personal development.

The right tools and processes

Reorganizing remote working requires the implementation of relevant and effective tools. Make sure everyone is proficient with these tools and knows where to find information when needed. Communication tools like Slack, Skype, Zoom and Teams, as well as storage platforms like Drive and Dropbox, are essential for facilitating collaboration.

Avoid over-supervision, which is contrary to the principles of trust. Use tools to create a fluid, pleasant working environment. For example, a Slack channel dedicated to good news can boost morale, while a clear process for handling technical issues can reduce bottlenecks without disrupting other team members.

Balanced organization of meetings

Respecting good meeting practices is crucial, especially in times of confinement. Make sure every meeting has a clear objective, an agenda, precise timing and a moderator. Avoid holding too many meetings, which can be counter-productive. Encourage everyone to participate, and ask for the microphone to be muted by default to reduce unwanted noise.

Transparency is essential: tell us what you know and what you don’t know at any given moment. Motivate your teams by highlighting collective successes and overcoming difficulties. Last but not least, make sure that everyone can relax in the evenings and at weekends.

Rituals

Reinforcing the feeling of belonging to the company is a priority, especially in times of confinement. Rituals play a crucial role in this context. Incorporate informal moments between teams to support those who are finding it hard to adapt to this new way of working.

Here are a few ideas for friendly rituals: a remote coffee break, a shared sports or yoga class at lunchtime, an online gaming session on Fridays, or a meditation session to get the day off to a positive start. These moments help to reinvent social links within the company and maintain team dynamics.

Gamification

Gamification, by capitalizing on the positive aspects of play, can strengthen team spirit and help distance people from anxiety-provoking situations. Adapt this strategy to the needs of your teams to improve commitment, involvement and motivation.

For example, creating an escape game dedicated to internal training, or using a virtual currency system to thank and encourage colleagues, can reinforce learning skills and team cohesion. The fun dimension is fundamental to maintaining employee commitment and motivation.

To manage at a distance effectively, it’s essential to adopt a set of positive values such as benevolence, trust, empathy and sharing. This will reinforce the trust between teams and their superiors, thus improving productivity. To find out more about new ways of working and how they can be adapted, read this article.

FAQ : How to manage remotely

5 best practices to adopt

1. How can you keep your teams motivated from a distance?

To keep your teams motivated at a distance, it’s essential to listen and show kindness. Encourage regular exchanges to identify the difficulties encountered by your employees, and propose appropriate solutions. Encourage your teams to propose initiatives and develop their skills.

2. What tools are needed for effective remote management?

Effective remote management relies on the use of relevant tools such as Slack, Skype, Google Drive, Dropbox, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. These tools facilitate communication, collaboration and information sharing. Make sure that everyone is familiar with these tools and knows why they are being used.

3. How to organize productive teleworking meetings?

To organize productive telecommuting meetings, follow best practices: a clear objective, an agenda, precise timing and a moderator. Make sure that everyone can speak up and express themselves. Avoid holding too many meetings to avoid being counter-productive, and allow everyone to disconnect in peace.

4. How can a sense of belonging be reinforced in times of confinement?

To reinforce a sense of belonging in times of confinement, rely on team rituals. Organize virtual coffee breaks, online sports or yoga classes, gaming or meditation sessions. These informal activities help maintain social ties and support team members.

5. How can gamification improve remote management?

Gamification uses the positive aspects of games to reinforceteam spirit and motivation. For example, you can create an escape game dedicated to internal training, or use a virtual currency system to thank colleagues. The playful dimension enhances learning capabilities and helps to distance oneself from anxiety-provoking situations.