How can you keep team members productive when working from home?

Don't even think about going in without a roadmap. My playbook for an 8-figure success across 43 countries boils down to this: crystal clear expectations. Specify what you expect from each role. Even the intern should know those metrics. And you're not exempt from the standards you set. 9-to-5 is old news. With remote work, you don't have to worry about time or location. It's all about outcomes. Free your team from the mental confines of office hours and break rooms. Keep your eye on the end results. Aligning your team like this doesn't just keep the engine running smoothly; it aligns the pistons, gears, and belts with the very essence of your business objectives. That is the recipe for scalable success.

It is key to define FAIR in-process and project execution measures. Such measures are necessary reflect levels and trends for customer value delivery, product or service quality, team engagement, and workplace safety, in addition to the more commonly used throughput measures. EACH DAY, a team member should be able to look such a scorecard and be confident that it accurately reflects the efforts, challenges, and successes of the day.

Being intentional and having clear expectations is vital for all work environments. Intentionality explores the intent of working in any given environment, defines expectations by the business, leadership, and employee, and clearly sets performance ratings based on expectations/goals.

Setting clear expectations is key to a successful remote work setup. It provides a roadmap for team members to follow and ensures everyone is aligned towards common goals. Using project management tools and regular check-ins can be incredibly helpful. It not only keeps everyone on the same page but also fosters transparency and accountability. Striking the right balance between guidance and autonomy is crucial for maintaining a productive remote team.

Acknowledging that an 8-hour workday might not always be feasible for every team member is crucial. Typically, individuals might be productive for about 5 to 6 hours daily. It's important to gauge productivity by the quality and impact of the work accomplished rather than the hours logged. This realistic approach can help in setting clear, achievable targets and maintaining a healthy work-life balance for your employees, which in turn sustains productivity over the long term. Regular calls and check-ins can provide the support and guidance they may need. However, avoid controlling every aspect of their work.

The key to successfully keeping team members productive when working from home is engagement. Not technology hovering or the classic micro-managing, Nope. It's about... - Facilitating consistent, genuine human-to-human interactions. - Building trust by setting clear expectations and then letting go. - Empowering team members to own their work and be accountable for getting the job done as agreed upon.

After 6 years of remote and 20 countries our team has worked in, the challenge is in finding balance. There is no way to have remote work without good asynchronous habits, but great teamwork relies also on synchronous habits. Teams usually go one extreme or the other. What I observe working: - go full asynchronous for the deep work. Document all your work. Prepare big topics by writing and make sure everyone has read 100% before discussing. - go full sync for relationship building. Meet IRL 2x a year. Do a 1:1 with your peers every week. The challenge of effective communication is these depend only marginally on tools, they are habits to be picked up, and that has to start with the leaders.

Our productivity is measured differently across the our economy but within the financial markets, it's usually about one's PnL. That PnL can be as clear as the commission earned on a trade as opaque as the coaching given to a junior member of the team. The challenge we face is maintaining an engaging, positive, fair and productive environment that rewards teamwork and a clear understanding of our goals. How do we do this remotely? Accountability, communication and a keen ability and desire to listen.

Communication is one of the key to team work. If we have clear communications about goals, priorites, way of doing etc we get important signals and improve energy, engage employee. If we are open for questions and feedback we can fix problems immediatly and find the best solutions. You have to make a communications rules as comfortable, open and effective as you can.

A harmonious team dynamic is conducive to productivity. Encouraging open communication and promptly addressing any interpersonal issues can help maintain a positive work atmosphere even in a virtual setup. Patience is a virtue, especially in remote work. While monitoring the process to ensure the team is on the right track towards achieving its goals, avoid micromanaging. Grant your team the autonomy to execute tasks, only stepping in when necessary. This trust can significantly boost their confidence and productivity.

Communication is key. Effective communication is the glue that holds remote teams together. Using a mix of communication channels ensures that everyone stays connected, and having a well-defined communication plan sets clear expectations. In a remote setup, open, respectful, and empathetic communication becomes even more vital for maintaining team cohesion and productivity.

A cornerstone of maintaining trust in a remote setting is clarity and respect in working relationships. By respecting your workers' individual goals and fostering strong, transparent relationships with them, you create a supportive environment. In such a milieu, employees are likely to be more committed and engaged, which will reflect positively on their productivity and the overall output of the team. It's vital to set a precedent by being engaged and diligent in your own tasks. When employees see their leaders working hard and valuing their work, it sets a motivating example. This mutual respect for the work being done creates a culture of accountability and ambition.

I think the most effective work culture is one that values output rather than time in front of the laptop. Ethical professionals will ensure they work their contracted mandatory hours per week (& more often than not more than the minimum to meet deadlines) without having a micromanaging leader who for example, monitors 'away time' on apps like Zoom.

Trust is the foundation of a successful remote team. Empowering team members with autonomy and flexibility not only demonstrates confidence but also enhances their sense of ownership. Transparency and honesty build strong connections, and acknowledging mistakes and learning from them reinforces trust.

You want to make sure you're monitoring key metrics and performance. This way, you can provide feedback that is informed by data. Your opinions as a leader are important. But especially if there are performance issues, you want to be armed with the facts.

Providing timely and constructive feedback is pivotal for enhanced performance. Suggesting actionable steps for future interactions can further empower your team members to refine their skills and align their efforts with the organizational goals. Encouraging feedback from your team regarding your own performance or decision-making not only shows a leadership quality of openness but also builds a sense of mutual respect and trust. When team members feel their opinions are valued and considered, it creates a more inclusive work culture. Moreover, this two-way feedback channel can provide invaluable insights that can aid in refining processes, thus improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the team.

Feedback is a cornerstone of remote teamwork. Constructive, timely feedback helps team members understand their strengths and areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing their performance. It's a two-way street; asking for their opinions and suggestions fosters a collaborative and learning-focused environment. A feedback culture, where input is valued and encourages growth, can make a significant difference in keeping the team productive when working from home.

In my journey of managing a remote team, I've found that recognizing and rewarding their achievements, be they small or grand, plays a pivotal role in keeping the motivation alive. Just be real. Whether it's an individual accomplishment or a collective milestone, a heartfelt acknowledgment or a token of appreciation goes a long way. It’s not just about the accolade, but the message it sends — that every effort counts and is valued. Also organizing happy hours, game nights, or friendly contests has been a wonderful way to celebrate our successes.

Celebrating success is essential for remote teams. Recognizing and rewarding individual and collective achievements not only boosts motivation but also reinforces a sense of accomplishment. Sharing these success stories and best practices can inspire others, creating a culture of excellence.

Working from home can be challenging to keep team members productive. Strategies to foster a productive remote work environment include setting clear expectations, providing necessary tools, regular check-ins, fostering communication, creating a sense of team, encouraging breaks, training and development, maintaining work-life boundaries, providing emotional and mental support, establishing a feedback mechanism, flexibility, trust and autonomy, staying updated with technology, and documentation. These strategies can be tailored to fit the needs and preferences of your team. It's crucial to regularly reassess and adjust your approach based on feedback and changing circumstances.

Gift autonomy: it's tempting to be overtly controlling as a facilitator/manager in a remote work environment, especially when you cannot 'see' what others are doing at any point in time. Trust your people to do their best and provide timely feedback for improvement, to help them flourish. Most importantly, never let go of an opportunity to appreciate others.

One key takeaway I've had is about rewarding task completion. Initially, the idea was to reward those who finished ahead of schedule. However, this seemed to encourage a bit of a rush job, compromising on quality. So, I shifted gears - now the applause and rewards come when tasks are completed right on schedule, not before. This tweak has eased the rush, reduced burnout, and improved planning. Plus, the quality of work has taken a turn for the better. It’s a small change, but it’s fostered a calmer, more structured, and quality-focused remote work culture.