How to Manage a Remote Team Successfully: 3 Proven Strategies for Better Communication and Collaboration
Despite return-to-office (RTO) mandates, remote work is here to stay.
Yet, many organizations are still struggling to build, manage, and communicate effectively in a remote setting.
I’ve seen it first hand, managers are either constantly checking in with their team (micromanaging much) or going days without offering a helping hand. Without the ease of in-person interactions, you can’t simply stop by someone’s desk to ask a question or casually check in with someone as you walk into the office together.
While remote work is great for many people (working moms, I’m looking at you), it also means that relationships can suffer, skill-building opportunities may become less accessible, and miscommunication can run rampant. To thrive in a hybrid, remote-first workplace, organizations and managers must invest in learning how to lead remote teams successfully.
That’s where Career Civility can help.
Here are three key strategies to manage a remote team effectively:
1. Set an Explicit Purpose and Goals for the Team
One of the biggest challenges in remote work is ensuring alignment across the team at all times (especially when executive leadership is constantly changing priorities and moving the goal line). In our always demanding workplace with constant notifications and fire drills, it’s easy for priorities to become unclear or for employees to feel disconnected from the bigger picture.
To avoid this, set clear and explicit goals from the outset. Define your team’s purpose, key objectives, and success metrics. Communicate them at every team meeting. Make sure every project, goal, and deliverable is tied to the organization's purpose and objectives by consistently reinforcing this connection through regular goal-setting meetings, documentation, and transparent communication. Every team member should understand how their individual work contributes to the overall mission.
When your team knows the “why” behind their work, they stay more engaged and motivated.
2. Communicate Expectations Early and Often
In a remote environment, the absence of casual office interactions means that assumptions can quickly lead to misunderstandings. That’s why it’s crucial to communicate expectations clearly and frequently.
From deadlines and work hours to preferred communication channels, set clear guidelines on how work should be done. Make sure everyone understands performance expectations, feedback processes, and collaboration norms.
Ways to reinforce communication:
Establish daily or weekly check-ins via video calls to ensure alignment.
Use tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or Zoom to facilitate both structured and informal communication.
Document processes in a shared knowledge base (e.g., Notion or Confluence) to provide clarity and consistency.
Encourage asynchronous communication when possible to accommodate different time zones and work styles.
Communicate working hours, acceptable response times, and remote communication etiquette
Proactive and frequent communication prevents confusion, improves productivity, and fosters trust within your team.
3. Be Intentional About Creating Personal Relationships
In a remote setting, team bonding doesn’t happen organically by the coffee machine. Leaders must be intentional about fostering connections and building a strong culture. A team that feels personally connected is more engaged, collaborative, and committed to shared success.
Ways to build personal connections:
Start meetings with a quick personal check-in or meaningful question such as, “how has your workload been lately?”
Schedule virtual coffee chats or informal one-on-one meetings.
Celebrate milestones, birthdays, and achievements with virtual events.
Implement a mentorship program
Schedule periodic in-person meetups if budget allows.
Strong relationships lead to higher job satisfaction, lower turnover, and a more resilient team.
Managing a remote team and communicating with the dispersed team effectively requires intentionality. By setting explicit goals, communicating expectations clearly, and fostering personal relationships, leaders can create a productive and engaged remote workforce. With these strategies in place, remote teams can not only function effectively but also thrive in a flexible and supportive work environment.
If you or your organization needs help implementing these tips, I offer 60-minute Remote Communication workshops designed to build a high-performing remote team that feels connected, motivated, and aligned toward success. Reach out to schedule a session or email me at jenna@careercivility.com.
