Running a successful remote team might seem like an impossible task. As a business owner who manages a remote team myself, I can assure you, it’s not only possible but also potentially more efficient—provided you adapt your management style to the unique challenges of remote work. Contrary to what some might think, successfully managing a remote team doesn’t mean micro-managing every aspect of your employees’ work. 

In fact, I would argue that leading remotely demands a higher degree of trust than traditional office settings. After all, in an office environment, no manager stands over an employee’s shoulder, tracking their every move. 

Why should it be any different in a remote setting?

In essence, leadership is about trust: You hire someone because you believe in their ability to do the job competently.  The real challenge lies in striking a balance between providing the necessary support and giving them space to perform independently. This brings us to the question: Is running a remote company more efficient than an in-person one? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?

To shed light on this, Sean Campbell, CEO of Cascades Insights, a consulting firm specializing in customized market research and marketing services for B2B technology companies, conducted a poll among his LinkedIn followers. 

He asked them about their productivity levels after switching to remote work. Interestingly, 80% responded that their productivity had increased. However, it’s worth noting that there’s still a significant minority, about 20%, who feel more productive in a traditional office environment. So, how do we ensure that we hire employees who can maintain or even enhance their productivity when working remotely? How can we measure the efficiency of our remote team management?

Let’s explore Sean’s three strategies for managing a remote team, from the hiring process to day-to-day management.

1. Hire People who Write Well

Written communication skills are highly overlooked when hiring because many find more value on oral communication skills than it. But, I tell you this: In a remote setting, you don’t get the advantage of just popping into someone’s cubby asking for a quick discussion. In a remote setting, you write emails and chat on communication channels most of the time.

So, hiring someone who knows how to express their thoughts and ideas to writing is more valuable than someone who is expressive verbally but cannot pass a…