What Are Some Effective Ways to Lead Remote Teams of Freelance Professionals?
Freelance professionals have been around for decades and have often worked remotely. However, thanks to Covid-19, remote jobs are at an all-time high. If you are in charge of a remote team of freelancers, you may wonder how you can effectively lead your team. Lucky for you, a few of our readers have shared tips on how best to do this.
Encourage Regular Communication
Make sure everyone knows their role and the project's goals right from the start. Use regular video calls or quick messages to keep everyone on the same page.
Sometimes, a brief call can fix problems quicker than a long email. This method doesn't just make things run smoother; it also brings the team closer, which is important when you're all working from different places.
Lead By Example
Leading by example and getting into the trenches with your team is good leadership. When you show your freelance team that you take part in what they do, you garner respect and admiration, as well as encourage follow-through and effort.
That way, you can also [follow ] how your staff interacts with their role. You can gather insights into [how] employees handle administrative tasks and determine if their way is more efficient than your preferred method.
Looking down from the top when you lead freelance professionals doesn't cut it, so work with them, get to know them, and show them what they can do to make the work pay off.
Integrate Freelancers Into Your Team Culture
Though freelancers differ from permanent employees, you'll find the most success when you integrate them into your team culture rather than treating them as relative outsiders.
Invite them to all your social events, include them in company-wide communications and team stand-ups, give them an email address, and add them to your company intranet system.
Take this approach even if you've only hired them for a one-off project because you'll likely see higher-quality results as they understand and embrace your team culture and values.
Single projects have often been the start of beautiful, ongoing contracts between employers and freelancers, or even more permanent roles, so operate as if they will work with you again and see how that connection flourishes.
Foster Team Unity
One of the biggest keys to success is creating opportunities for [unity] among teams. It's [one] thing to have a message board around productivity, but how are we constantly interfacing and building relationships? Do we have moments to connect relationally?
Keeping your team close through relationship-building and intentional communication goes a long way in [maintaining] a connected and productive team.
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