The same skills that you use leading a team of office-based staff will
serve you well leading a team that includes telecommuters. Here is
a checklist of leadership behaviors and how they can be used to lead a
team that includes telecommuters.
Develop a shared vision of how telecommuting will work in
your group. Get input from your telecommuting and
non-telecommuting employees. Include support staff who might be
affected.
Challenge and inspire each member of the team to be
productive by setting clear goals, objectives and timelines.
Encourage good teamwork. Make sure team members
communicate their questions and concerns. Let both telecommuters
and non-telecommuters know that they are equally important.
Coach, train and guide team members as needed. Pay
attention to things that might be breaking down in the
telecommuting arrangements.
Celebrate your success. When a telecommuter is going to be
out of the office more than two days a week, focus some team
building efforts on social activities like going out to lunch or
having a small celebration at the completion of a project.
