What is long-distance leadership?
As a lot of organizations have started adopting a remote workforce, leading at a distance might not be easy, but has become more important than ever. Have you heard of the three O model of remote leadership? This article will explain how you can define and describe leadership!
There are three areas of focus that leaders must understand and use to lead their team in a sustainable success.
Outcomes: leading people with the intend of reaching a desired result.
The main long-distance difference in Outcomes is isolation. Most people are alone when working remotely. Over time, without guidance, we become more focused on individual goals rather than team goals. As a leader, it is necessary to help others see how their outcomes are a part of the larger picture. The other difference is the lack of environmental clues. A common work location gives clear cues about the common goals and priorities, such as a reader-board with the latest statistics or a list of the corporate goals in every room, but such clues are missing when you work from a home office.
Others: leading with and through other people to reach those outcomes.
The reason why this is harder at a distance is because you make assumptions about your team members, consciously or not. If you assume all is well and you do not see them, you might not communicate with them as often. Or if you assume they will let you know when they need support, they may see your lack of communication as a lack of focus on them whether you mean for it or not. Also, if your team does not see actions that show that you think about them or want them to succeed, then what your intention is does not really matter. You must show it to others through your actions!
Ourselves: you can’t lead others if you leave yourself!
When you are leading at a distance, your beliefs and assumptions are even more important. Your assumptions about what it means to work remotely have an impact on your leadership. For instance, if you believe that people are multitasking on non-work items while they are at work, you will operate based on that belief rather than the facts. So, you will have to identify your beliefs about both yourself and you team members to begin with.
Also, be sure that all employment counselors do hybrid work at Cible Retour à l’Emploi. If you have any doubt about your future, it will be our pleasure to assist you in person and online to answer your employability questions and make you a better leader of your life and at work!
As a leader, you must understand that when and how you communicate is a conscious decision.
Irene Yan – Development agent
Bibliography:
Eikenberry, Kevin, and Turmel Wayne. The Long-Distance Leader: Rules for remarkable remote leadership. Oakland, California: Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2018.