Remote Management Tips for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Remote Management Tips for Introverts - Introvert Whisperer Remote Management Tips for Introverts Managing a team can be a challenge if you’re an introvert, since face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and lots of social interaction in the office can quickly start to feel overwhelming and tiring. But that same preference for less social interaction can make introverts ideal remote employees, and you may find that managing a remote team is easier than managing an in-office team. Today’s global economy has generated a shift toward virtual teams, and in 2011, over 3.1 United States employees telecommuted. By 2012, 46% of organizations were using virtual teams for the many advantages they offer, including allowing organizations to access talent in multiple locations, as well as allowing organizations to increase collaboration among both employees and across global business units. With ever-improving technology and more businesses understanding the benefits that remote workers can offer, you’re more likely to have a chance to manage a remote team. As an introvert, you can successfully manage remote employees by using a few important strategies. Establish Team Solidarity While working remotely offers many benefits, it can fail if employees feel like they’re left out of the loop, if they don’t receive important updates about projects they’re working on, and if they don’t feel like they’re part of the team. As a manager, you’ll need to build and maintain team solidarity to ensure that your staff are successful. Building solidarity starts with setting clear expectations for your team. Your staff should always know what they’re working on, what tasks are priorities, and what is expected of them in their individual role. Consider how you would like staff to approach you with questions do you prefer email? Text messages? and encourage employees to use these methods to reach out to you. Be sure to also provide ongoing feedback about how staff are doing. As project plans or deadlines change, ensure that all staff promptly receive written updates, whether you decide to send out a group email or incorporate those updates into pre-planned weekly meetings. Focusing on building a strong team will benefit all of your staff. Team-building activities that can be accomplished online can help the members feel like a cohesive unit, and a well-defined goal for the entire team gets everyone working toward the same outcome. As you get to know your team better, you may also find it easier to engage with your team. Also encourage feedback from your team and give them the power to make decisions and influence the project. This encourages your staff to be dedicated to and engaged in the work that they’re doing. Use Multiple Communication Tools Good communication is key to a successful remote team, but it’s also one of the most challenging aspects of leading a remote team as an introvert. For instance, leading an overseas team brings about unique challenges in balancing different time zones, schedules, and cultures. That’s one reason why if you’re outsourcing a team, having a nearshore or onshore partnership can make communication and the overall management experience easier. Regardless of where your team is located, though, there are many ways to foster communication. Use multiple modes of technology to keep the whole team connected, including video conferencing, email, phone calls, and even texting. You may also want to invest in a forum or chat space that allows your staff to engage in real-time. Outline a clear communication policy for the team so staff know how and when to connect with other members and with you. Leading a team when you’re introverted means that some of these meetings may be uncomfortable for you, but you can use techniques to make them easier. Try to schedule one-on-one meetings when appropriate, since these settings have less pressure than you’ll feel speaking in front of a large group of people. When you do need to hold larger team meetings, plan out and distribute an agenda ahead of time to keep things on track. Don’t feel that you have to do all of the talking, too; you can ask team members responsible for certain parts of the project to give updates, which will give you a few minutes to regroup and listen. Be Aware of Burnout Burnout doesn’t just happen to in-office employees; it can affect remote workers, too. In fact, because remote workers may feel grateful to their employers for offering them this location flexibility, these workers may feel indebted to their employers and work longer and harder than they otherwise would. When an employee is remote, employers may add on extra work or shorter deadlines without having an understanding of whether those expectations are realistic. Many situations can cause remote workers to be overworked and face burnout. As a manager, you can help to reduce the chances of employee burnout. Check in with your employees and be aware of what’s going on in their lives, such as an upcoming move, an ill parent, or a new baby. Encourage your team to take vacations and sick days when needed, and try to offer some scheduling flexibility or extra time off after the team meets a big deadline. Set guidelines about work hours and make sure that all team members recognize that emails or inquiries sent after standard hours won’t be addressed until the next business day. Don’t forget to apply these burnout prevention strategies to yourself, too. Managing a team as an introvert can be draining, but with remote management options like text messages and emails, you may find that this remote management is easier than in-person management is. By: Frankie Wallace Frankie Wallace is a blogger from Boise, Idaho and a recent graduate from the University of Montana. Wallace contributes to a variety of different blogs online and focuses on writing about career advice. Image Source: Pixabay Go to top Power-Influence-Office Politics: it comes down to your Strategic Relationships and understanding of how you build each one of these elements. I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my video that outlines all of this and meaningful actions you can take today!   Start watching now by clicking here! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer