Tips for Offering Flexibility and Learning for Remote Employees

I wasn’t always a fully-remote CEO... But when I launched Squad App, I wanted it to be 100% remote from the start. I’ve been working in tech my entire life— With international teams across different time zones my entire career. Here’s how I leverage my experience to build a world-class culture with no office 👇 1. Flexibility as a rule You can’t lead an international team without being flexible. I built my daily schedule from the ground up to accommodate different time zones— Starting early with our European teams, focusing on American activities during the day, and wrapping up with our teams and partners in Asia. 2. Proactive communication Working remotely exposes any flaws in your communication style. Remote teams don’t get the exposure of in-person conversation— You MUST learn to express ideas clearly over Slack, Zoom, and Loom, and get it right the first time. Otherwise? People will carry on with misunderstandings, and you’ll find out hours later they did something completely wrong because of poor communication. 3. Fully embracing technology for connectivity Coming from a tech background, leveraging Notion, Workspace, Slack, and other async-friendly tools for collaboration came naturally to me. Simply put, the right tech stack will 10x your productivity. Even if you’re not a remote leader, get serious about the tools you use. They say great photographers aren’t people with the best cameras — it’s those who understand how to take full advantage of what they have. It’s the same for remote teams. They understand how to leverage collaboration platforms to their full potential, no matter which they’re using. 4. Fostering a culture of flexibility and trust You can’t build a remote team without placing your full trust in them. Why? Because you can’t hover over people’s shoulders, or force everyone into a meeting room to hash things out in-person. You need people who can turn around quality work without you controlling the process. Remote teams are self-starters working together toward a common goal— Trust matters here more than ever. 5. Prioritizing employee well-being Not seeing your team in-person makes it harder to pick up on struggles they might be facing that you’d notice in the office. You don’t see anyone sad, happy, frustrated, or anything else. You see them for a few minutes on Zoom calls, and that’s it. That’s why it’s crucial for remote leaders to be proactive about team health — because they won’t share it otherwise. Ask them how they’re doing. Ensure they’re using their time off. And most importantly, emphasize an open-door culture. All this is the backbone of Squad App’s success in remote work, and why we’ve been so effective — despite being 1000s of miles apart — from day one.

Remote work is my jam! 👩💼 Leading remote marketing teams has taught me priceless lessons in collaboration, productivity, and company culture. To those doubting leaders who claim remote doesn't work, here are some battle-tested pro-tips from someone who's been at it longer than the terms on your fancy office lease. 1️⃣ Embrace Effective Communication: Foster open channels through video conferencing, team chats, and project management tools. Be responsive, provide clear instructions, and have regular check-ins for alignment and addressing concerns promptly. 2️⃣ Cultivate Trust and Autonomy: Empower team members to take ownership and excel in their tasks. Trust is crucial for high performance, productivity, and job satisfaction in a remote team. If you can't trust people, don't be a leader. 3️⃣ Leverage Technology and Tools: Invest in reliable tech and collaboration tools for seamless remote work. Use project management software, communication apps, and cloud-based storage systems to streamline workflows and enhance productivity. (I ❤️ Asana!) 4️⃣ Encourage Virtual Team Building: Combat isolation by organizing virtual coffee breaks, online games, or happy hours. These activities foster social connections, camaraderie, and stronger teamwork. (Check out: Let's Roam) 5️⃣ Emphasize Work-Life Balance: Help establish healthy boundaries and work-life balance. Support time off, flexible schedules, and prioritize well-being to maintain a motivated and fulfilled team. (Don't forget to lead by example. 😎) 6️⃣ Continual Learning and Development: Encourage self-paced learning through online courses, webinars, and industry conferences. Foster a culture of continuous learning and development. 7️⃣ Celebrate Wins and Recognize Achievements: Publicly acknowledge and appreciate team accomplishments. 🌟 Celebrate project milestones, goal achievements, and individual successes. Remote work has challenges, but with the right strategies and support, it can be a rewarding experience. Let's adapt, learn, and grow together in this evolving digital landscape! Feel free to connect and discuss remote team leadership or share your experiences. I'm also open to connecting with like-minded professionals! 👥✨ #RemoteWork #MarketingLeadership #TeamCollaboration #WorkLifeBalance #ContinuousLearning

Everyone wants flexible work, right? Yet “flexible work” can trip people up. Why is that? Because it’s too vague:  - Employees saying they want "flexible" work can be heard as "I’ll exclusively decide where and when I’ll work" and the employer doesn't know when the person is available and feels unsettled. - Employers saying they offer flexible work can be heard as "we'll let you 'sneak out' a bit if you need to but don't make a big deal about it and by the way we’ll ask *you* to flex all the time.”   Instead of asking for “flexibility,” or saying that you offer it, here’s what you should do instead:  - Identify the requirements for specific jobs - one type of flexibility won’t work for every job in a whole organization  - Designate “core hours” for collaboration and synergy when teammates know they need to be available for one another or for clients  - Offer Training and Support: Provide training sessions and resources to help employees AND managers create adaptive work environments.  - Schedule regular check-in meetings between managers and team members to discuss progress, challenges, and goals. People’s lives will change and their needs will change. Your organization will change and your needs will change. - Lead with mutuality - you’re in this *with* your team. Clear communication and team-and-position specific approaches are key to making flexible work arrangements successful. Ready to Embrace Flexibility? Start Today: Take the first step towards creating a more flexible and productive work environment by implementing these strategies in your organization. #WorkReimagined #FlexibleWork