Leading a Remote Team

Leading a remote team for the first time can be a challenge for many people. 

If your leadership style is based on face to face interaction, it can leave you feeling disease about not being able to see your team. 

Don't stress over it too much. Leading remotely, for the most part, is no different than leading in person.

Be yourself. Pick up the phone. Get on Zoom. Communicate often. 

Often, we magnify the problems that come with remote teams. Most people stress about not being in front of the team is because they want to feel important. Not being able to have direct and immediate interaction leaves some leaders feeling less important. 

Here are some tips for leading a remote team:

• Treat remote communication as you would any other communication.
• Be yourself.
• Tell the truth.
• Check-in with people individually. Don't make every meeting a group meeting. 
• Don't only rely on email. Hearing voices and seeing people's faces help you and the whole time.
• Have fun. Let people feel comfortable. 
• If you act normal, other people will act normal, too. 
• Don't overprepare. Each meeting is not a presentation. 

The more you do it the better you will get at it. Everything is hard before it is easy. You can practice with family or friends before you have to have remote meetings for real with your team.