Effectively Manage Remote Employees

  • Don’t be afraid to give honest feedback. When you communicate primarily via email and phone, it sometimes seems easier to let some things slide. But just because you don’t see these employees in person doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t let them know what’s important to you and what’s expected. Be straightforward and honest if the work they do is not up to your standards. Give them the opportunity to make it right.
  • Mind your manners. Working remotely tends to depersonalize interactions. If your only interaction is via email, it can be easy to forget you’re dealing with a living, thinking, feeling human being. As your mother used to say, remember your manners. Say “please” and “thank you.” If your employee or colleague does a great job, say so. Be effusive in your praise if it’s warranted. A little respect goes a long way.
  • Be flexible. Again, when your employee or colleague is only an avatar on a screen, it’s easy to start treating him or her as a virtual servant on whom you can impose ridiculous demands. Just because you’re working through the weekend or you have insomnia and are working at 2 a.m. doesn’t mean you can expect your
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