While working remotely may not be for everyone, it has numerous benefits, especially for workers who are able to balance work and family commitments. For example, it saves on costs associated with commuting, such as car expenses, parking fees, lunches and coffee, colleagues’ birthday presents, and even clothing for work. It also reduces the need for child care, allowing parents to spend more time with their kids. Additionally, working from home provides flexibility, enabling employees to avoid long commutes during rush hour and the stress that comes with it.
Achieving workplace trust and mutual respect can be difficult in remote work environments, but with the right leadership, it is achievable. The best remote leaders prioritize building relationships with their teams, and they make it a point to communicate clearly and consistently with team members. They promote an open and honest communication culture and encourage their team to share their challenges and successes, while providing guidance when needed.
Additionally, great remote team leaders are able to inspire trust by embodying the values they want their teams to live by. They prioritize human warmth, even when it’s virtual, and they connect with their team members by asking personal questions during 1:1 meetings or a general chat thread in the team’s collaboration app.
Another important aspect of establishing trust is having the ability to give feedback to employees without being judgmental or defensive. The most effective remote leaders encourage their employees to express their opinions and ideas, even if they’re in disagreement with them. They also promote a sense of transparency by encouraging their team members to use a timesheet app to track the amount of time they’re spending on different projects and tasks.
