Project Management Habits That Make or Break Remote Teams

As a project manager, you must be motivating your remote team and getting everything out of the working day in order to progress the project through its timeline.

Certain project management habits could make or break your remote teams. Getting it right is all about communication and structuring accountability. Let’s take a look at how the right or wrong management habits during a project could be the making of your remote team, or the failure of it.

How communication breakdowns quietly kill productivity

Communication breakdowns can often be the killer of productivity in the workplace in general, remote teams included. Here’s what else can contribute to a dip in productivity

Wasted time

Employees may often find themselves wasting a considerable amount of time trying to seek clarification on projects or tasks, chasing down information without much in the way of results. As enough the constant back-and-forth often drains hours and limits the amount of productive work that’s done.

Unclear expectations and rework requirements

Any vague instructions or ambitious goals that aren’t the most realistic in terms of timelines can often be a demotivating experience for your teams. A lack of clear objectives can also leave employees unsure of their priorities or responsibilities. 

Reduced collaboration and innovation

Ineffective communication can often hamper teamwork, and that causes employees at work to feel isolated, particularly when working remotely. 

It can also lead to reduced collaboration, and opportunities might pass you by as a result.

Low morale and disengagement

Some employees will often feel out of the loop when it comes to a lack of communication. That feeling of being out of the loop, to constant negative feedback, can often contribute to low morale and disengagement with the work that’s required.

Increase in conflict and stress

Any misunderstandings and a lack of open dialogue can often result in conflicts between team members. Even remote workers can experience tensions over disagreements that are made and that can result in stress felt by staff, as well as conflict that hinders productivity.

Developing leadership habits through formal project management training 

When it comes to managing employees effectively, developing leadership habits is important. One of the ways that you can do that is through formal project management training. Whether that’s short courses or becoming a master of project management with university degrees, there are a lot of options available nowadays to take advantage of.

Being able to practice your skills and develop your knowledge of management can all contribute to a successful career in project management.

While formal training is helpful, there are other active efforts you’ll want to make to develop your leadership skills. This can include coaching and mentorship, seeking feedback from team members,

 and being proactive in any opportunities that you might be able to have as a manager in the future.

Habits like this will help to improve your efforts as a project manager now and in the future. Use these tips to help make your remote team the best it can be.