Leading a team for the first time can come as a challenge, especially now, when you are likely managing a team on a solely remote basis.The role of a manager can have many complexities, but creating an environment that fosters growth, collaboration, and productivity while simultaneously ensuring employees feel both seen and heardwill help to build the foundation for long term team success. We’re sharing four ways to create a collaborative team dynamic while managing remotely for the first time.
Express Appreciation
As a manager, ensuring that gratitude is shown for those who work under you is essential. While many employees may be feeling overwhelmed and navigating change, everyday professional tasks still need to get done, and for many, at a faster rate than ever before. With employees putting in longer hours, they often look to their manager for validation and conformation of a job well done. Showing gratitudetowards those on your team can help foster feelings of self-confidence and communication, and can be as simple as a follow up email, text, or phone call.
Put in the Extra Hours
While most of the working world has transitioned to aremote set up, putting in the extra hours to ensure employees have what they need, both personally and professionally, is critical. Not being able to physically see your team on a daily basis can be a challenge to overcome for many, yet when you set aside timefor daily or weekly check-insengage in conversation aside from work related topics, and offer support where needed, you are helping to build a strong relationship that goes beyond the nine to five. Productive interactions like these can help to not only build trusting relationships, but can enhance productivity and morale.
Encourage Learning and Professional Development Opportunities
The strongest leaders are those who encourage growth and provide ample learning opportunities for their employees. With an emphasis on social distancing and increased free time, many educational organizations are now offering free classes and webinars for all, so sharing these opportunities with those on your team shows your commitment towards helping them grow both personally and professionally. As a manager, your investment in the members of your team shows in the work they do and providing them with opportunities to build upon their skillset works as a mutually beneficial value add for the team as a whole.
Celebrate the Wins
As we navigate through a pandemic shiftedworld and workplace, celebrating wins is an important part of keeping employee morale and motivation high. As a new manager, finding ways to bring joy into the virtual workspaceespecially for individual teams, can make all the difference while setting the tone for the team as a whole. Whether it’s an employee completing adaunting taskor learning a new skill, make time to recognize these achievements, big or small, to help create an environment of collaboration and togetherness during these difficult times. Remember, being a manager and leading a team is no easy feat, especially if it’s your first time doing so remotely. Leaving time for both self-reflection and personal organization is key in as we navigate through this landscape of the unknown. For more resources click here.