Nearly half of all jobs in the United States can be performed remotely, and because virtual work is very popular with employees, many new team members are going to work without ever stepping foot in the office, or only doing so during the initial introductory period. From now on, you may see them only against a Zoom office background with logo. Nevertheless, as a team leader, it is up to you to set them up for success from the beginning.
How Leadership Changes Online
In some ways, being a leader of a virtual team is different than being in charge of workers in the office. When you and your team members work in the same office, you see them every day. With remote work, you may only see them every few days, maybe only once a week, and that only with the help of virtual meeting branding & customization.
The virtual nature of remote work means that you have to trust your employees to do what they are supposed to do. Constantly checking in on them is counterproductive because they have to stop whatever they are doing to get back to you. On the other hand, you can’t leave them to figure everything out on their own with no help or guidance from you.
What you should do instead is to provide the framework in which they are supposed to work and then back off to let them do what you hired them to do in the first place. You should check in on each of them at regular intervals to see how they are progressing. With a new employee, you may have to check in a little more often at first, and you should also encourage the new employee to be proactive in reaching out to you with any questions or concerns. Then be ready to respond in a timely manner.
Being Transparent
Even when your work is virtual, your employees are still part of your company’s culture. You should immerse new employees in that culture right away, explaining what is important to you and what you value, and why.
If you have been part of the company for a long time, the culture may be second nature to you. However, try to look at it from the point of view of an outsider. To a new employee, the way you do things, such as why you chose the office background free that you use in virtual meetings, may be strange or confusing at first.
When you are explaining how you do things at your company to a new employee, take a little time to explain why. People are much more willing to work hard and be productive if they understand why they are doing what they’re doing and how it is contributing to the overall goal of the company.
Create a Sense of Belonging
People who work remotely sometimes feel disconnected from one another. This feeling can be intensified if an employee is new. Assign a new employee a mentor who can give advice and encouragement from an employee’s point of view. Take time during virtual meetings to break the ice and socialize with one another.
You can also do virtual gatherings for fun and social activities, but when there is work to be done, make sure your virtual background looks professional.
