Do you have remote employees on your team? Finding ways to keep them engaged when you don’t see them every day can be a challenge. You may forget to include them in an impromptu meeting or share a decision that you made in the hallway. Imagine how they are feeling. They miss out on the day to day conversations, the politics going on in the office that they can’t see, being on conference calls or video conference all day long to stay connected. Both the manager and the employee have agreed that the remote situation is what they want, so now it is time to focus on ways to make it work.
Managers will need to be intentional with 1:1s, capturing decisions, sending off instant messages or emails as things happen and ensuring that when the person is in the office, that there is dedicated time to discuss things. Ensure that you know what the employee is doing and that you are sharing that with others in the office. Travel to see them so you can see how they are doing and where they may need your help. Remember to include them in meetings or at a minimum let them know what happened.
The employee will also need to find ways to set themselves up for success. You will feel isolated, so find ways to be connected and have 1:1s with people regularly so you can learn information. Share what you are doing each week so people know…even though they can’t see you. Try to come to the office at a minimum once a quarter if possible and be intentional while you are there. Set up meetings with your peers, clients and management while you are there in person. Plan group dinners or lunches so you can bond with the team.
This can be done successfully so that the team member stays engaged. It just takes consistency and being intentional to keep them informed and a part of the team that is there with you in person. They just have to find creative ways to stay visible, even when they aren’t there physically. Have you been a remote employee or been a manager who managed a remote employee? Any tips that you would like to share?