Here is another valuable Management Tip of the Day from Harvard Business Review. To sign up for a free subscription to any/all HBR newsletters, please click here.
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One of the most challenging parts of working remotely is feeling shunned and left out. Managers can counter this problem by proactively making sure distant workers feel included. How?
o First, check in frequently and consistently. Just because someone works remotely doesn’t mean you can leave them alone. Stay in touch with them often, and clearly communicate your expectations for projects, roles, and deadlines.
o Second, and most important, be available to remote employees no matter what time zone they’re in. This doesn’t mean you have to respond to emails at all hours of the night, but be reachable at designated times and in multiple ways (IM, Slack, Skype, email, phone, text).
o Remote employees should always be able to count on you to respond to pressing concerns, no matter where they work.
Adapted from “A Study of 1,100 Employees Found That Remote Workers Feel Shunned and Left Out,” by Joseph Grenny and David Maxfield
Here’s a direct link to dozens of other Management Tips.