What is the one thing you need in a remote work culture?

Did you guess technology? Well, I would agree to some extent.

But let’s keep it to a human level.

Have an inspiring leader. I’m not sure if you saw that coming.

Now you wonder! How can a leader keep remote workers engaged, committed, and performing at their best?

This may sound like a tall order for someone who’s leading a team that isn’t in the same room, but it’s not impossible.

The Return of the Jedi

Each year, startups are created in droves, with millions and millions of dollars invested in each one. When it comes to startup jobs, most of these companies are only hiring full-time employees who work from an office.

However, there is a new generation of startups that hire remote workers. Remote startups offer freedom to work from anywhere — from a study room in Singapore to a co-working space in Paris.

Also Read: Addressing Singapore’s talent crunch with remote work

Companies like Buffer, Zapier, and Automattic offer work-from-anywhere opportunities to their employees.

Startup jobs have grown to encompass more than just traditional brick-and-mortar businesses. Remote working started in the late 70s, picked up steam in the 80s and rose like a Jedi, following the pandemic.

The ability to work remotely has been a game-changer for some. Employees can plan their commute more easily, which means less time commuting and more quality time with family.

We’re all in search of fulfilling and rewarding careers.

Riding the wave of automation and globalisation, companies are increasingly turning to remote working. It’s a trend that’s been growing steadily in recent years.

Y Combinator, the influential startup accelerator, quietly launched its Work at a Startup (WaaS) platform back in 2018 to help companies hire the right people.

Is this me?

Coming from a traditional corporate environment, working from nine to six was the mainstream. The typical white-collar worker. Bouncing off ideas with colleagues offline, hanging out at the pantry to discover new gossip. Meeting friends and clients at the coffee shop.

Pandemic hit. Most of us learned about telecommuting, working from home and virtual calls.

Fast forward, I wouldn’t have imagined that I would be a remote worker for CINNOX, a software company in Hong Kong. Our technology ecosystem has best-in-class features that empower staff to work together and help businesses unify every touchpoint of a customer journey.

I’m happy to have the best tools available to contribute when, where, and how I need to boost team synergy.

What’s the real deal about inspiring leaders?

They are value-driven, from a deep sense of purpose. Having a responsibility to create a positive change in the team and the company.

A defining characteristic of them is they are passionate about their cause. The ability to transform lives by engaging in the process of change, both inside and outside themselves.

We are not always lucky to see these attributes. It takes time. If you do recognise them, hold on to them. Or else pull the plug.

Signs of a good remote work culture

What better way to start

I can’t say this enough. Send them regular updates on the projects. Let them know what’s going on and how their work fits into the larger picture. Reach out to them from time to time to check in, not just about how things are going but also about their morale.

Hey! Set clear horizons

It’s important for everyone involved in a project, including remote workers, to know what’s expected at each stage of development. Otherwise, there can be gaps or misunderstandings down the road. Set targets and clear milestones.

Let’s bring on those secured channels

Make sure that all communication is documented in a central location so that everyone can access it. This will help ensure that everyone knows what’s going on and how their work fits into the larger picture, whether they’re inside or outside your company.

Also Read: How smart video integration can improve your remote working environment

Can’t do without success, right?

Outline what success looks like for each project and task so everyone knows what they’re working towards. This will help you identify if there are any problems or issues along the way and give you a way to measure whether remote workers are meeting your expectations.

Turn on the visibility mode

When working in an office, it’s easy to delegate tasks and follow up with co-workers about their progress. But remote workers don’t have the same level of visibility into what everyone else is doing, so it’s important to set up processes that make sure everyone knows what they need to do, and when they should be finished by.

Point them to the friendly people

Define who owns each project or task. Let them know who has the final say on decisions and directions for the business. If you have a clear chain of command in place, then everyone will know who to go to with questions or concerns.

Stay tight, folks!

It can be tempting for remote workers to go dark for days at a time, especially if they don’t have anyone sitting across from them who can tell when something isn’t quite right.

Communication is crucial. Have safe channels and collaborative workspaces to discuss.

Celebrate success through an inspiring leader

Working remotely is not a trend anymore. It’s the future of work.

A truly inspiring leader who binds the communication of global remote team members shows value to an organisation. Team members will be supportive and empowered to drive the brand vision passionately.

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