How to manage remote teams during summer and holidays

Since 2020, many corporations have moved to fully remote or hybrid working models, recognizing the enormous work-life advantages that remote opportunities provide in terms of balance and flexibility for employees.

As the founder and CEO of a fully remote team at my company, ZenToesI have found that my team has thrived in a scenario that recognizes and allows for individual autonomy and planning flexibility throughout the 12 months, while prioritizing productivity, community, and commitment to company goals.

Managing a fully remote team might be difficult at times. It’s vital to maintain a sense of company culture while also reaching out to employees individually on a regular basis. Especially during holiday seasons – whether summer, Thanksgiving or winter break – remote management strategies should adapt to the needs of employees and the organization to ensure goals are met and employees can proceed to enjoy the season.

Below I have included the top ten suggestions that I consider to be crucial in managing my fully remote team during the holidays and holidays.

1. Communication priority – Foster an environment of normal, open communication to ensure employees understand the importance of clearly requesting day without work in advance. Supporting employees to enjoy their free time is essential to helping them achieve work-life balance. Instill confidence in your team that you simply will likely be supportive and responsive to PTO requests, and establish a standard length of notice required to ensure mutual respect.
2. Stay organized – Organization is the key to ensuring that you simply stay on top of tasks and that every one team members are on track to achieve individual and team goals – especially when working remotely. At ZenToes, we host weekly team meetings via Zoom to keep all departments updated on priorities, progress, milestones and latest goals.
3. Use technology and available tools – Technology might be incredibly useful in helping your remote team manage time, stay organized, coordinate schedules, and ensure tasks are accomplished on time. From Slack and Trello to tools like Notion and Calendly, there are more tools available to support remote teams than ever before. Find what works best for your team and make sure everyone feels supported using each platform. We use Asana, Slack, Google Suite and several design tools.
4. Allow for planning flexibility – We all understand that sometimes something happens. Establish basic working hours for your remote team. When something happens and an worker needs last-minute scheduling flexibility, make sure the remainder of the team is aware and supportive. For example, during the holiday periods at ZenToes, between Christmas and New Year’s Day, our office is closed and key team members remain on standby – ensuring that no one has to work unless an emergency occurs, and everyone family and friends could have a nice time.
5. Focus on results – Results ought to be the foremost measure of your team’s work and success. During holiday seasons, you might need to consider scheduling family visits, kid’s camp schedules, vacations, and more. Ultimately, if the job is done right, people should have the opportunity to make the most of the holiday seasons and the precious time spent with family and friends.
6. Set clear goals – Define clear goals and objectives for your organization, teams and individual team members. Understanding and uniting around the desired end result fosters team camaraderie and gives work a clear sense of purpose, which helps motivate remote staff.
7. Conduct regular individual and team briefings – This could appear obvious, but check with your team. In addition to weekly team meetings at ZenToes, we also organize regular one-on-one visits to support employees’ work, development and happiness.
8. Find time to meet face to face – Set aside time to actually meet each week – even if it’s via Zoom, Google Meet, or Teams. While working remotely might be great, it could possibly sometimes feel lonely. Seeing your team’s faces will support overall team building, company culture and bonding.
9. Establish effective reporting mechanisms – Clearly define how your team will report and track progress on each project each week, so they’ll come to regular visits prepared. The company can ensure progress towards individual and company goals.
10. Increase worker well-being – Ultimately, worker well-being ought to be paramount to every business leader and company. Make sure your team knows that you simply truly respect and care about them as people, not only at work, but in all elements of their lives.

Each remote management style is barely unique, so in fact listen to your personal needs and those of your team members. As long as you may foster a supportive remote work culture and an organized system of tracking and engagement in achieving all company goals, all remote employees will have the opportunity to make the most of the holiday season, personally and professionally.