The pandemic shifted around 40% of employees into working remotely on a full-time basis. This massive upheaval didn’t change the fact that many projects require a team. It simply amplified the difficulties of building a successful team.
While some companies will transition workers back to the office later this year, it’s likely that many people will remain in remote positions. For some, it will prove a voluntary step. For others, some companies will keep people working remotely because it’s an effective cost-cutting measure.
If you’re wondering how to build a successful team under these challenging circumstances, keep reading for three secrets that will help your team-building efforts.
1. Equip Them with the Right Resources
One common reason for team failures is that the team doesn’t get the right resources.
Sometimes, they need more bodies. Sometimes, they need a skill set that no one on the team possesses. As often as not, you can fix these problems with careful staff shuffling.
When you throw virtual team building into the mix, equipment and software often become the big stumbling blocks. One of the keys to building a successful remote team is that you ensure that your team has the right equipment and software licenses to do their work.
It also means giving employees a secure method for logging into the company network, like a virtual private network.
2. Set Clear Goals
Another common reason teams fail is scope creep. Scope creep can come from clients, supervisors, and even within the team itself. Yet, it’s a problem you can avoid through clear goals from the outset.
Different organizations like different goal-setting methods, but a popular choice is SMART goal setting, and OKR is another effective framework. SMART goals and OKR both set parameters for success:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-based
When you lay out your goals using these five parameters, it builds in a level of accountability and makes timelines part of the process.
3. Model Accountability
Accountability gets a lot of air time in businesses. Yet, most employees view it as something they’re punished for and that superiors skate on. It’s incredibly bad for morale and creating a team culture if the team members believe the team leader lacks accountability.
Modeling accountability is one of the steps to building a successful team. You can do that by making your responsibilities known. Empower team members to call you out if you fall short on your responsibilities.
Also, make sure that your team understands that you answer to someone as well. For example, you can tell them that a complete and successful project is your deliverable.
Building a Successful Team
Building a successful team in a time when most or all of your team may work remotely makes the work more challenging. Fortunately, the fundamentals of good team building don’t change all that much.
You must provide the necessary resources, whether it’s equipment or someone with the right skills. Set clear goals using the SMART method or something similar. Model accountability for the team.
Looking for more tips on building a solid team? Check out our Business section for more articles.
