Don't be afraid of the dark

When I've led teams with remote workers I notice how quickly my habitual lack of trust appears. Are they really focused? How are they really using their time?

At the same time, I'm aware that we have a habit of projecting our worst fears into the unknown. In any scenario of uncertainty, we often assume the worst; my loved one being late home due to some tragic event, not (the more likely) congestion on the roads. Children (and many adults) fear the dark for the same reason, we take our fears and place them in the unknown.

It's this dynamic which seems to be the first challenge for many leaders of remote teams. They get riddled with insecurities about how people are using their time. These leaders are often tempted to deploy systems that provide "evidence" of daily productivity.

If you're employing smart people, they're smart enough to game any system which attempts to spy on them. That's not to mention the morale destroying nature of such tactics!

The best approach to tackling this phenomenon is for the leader to shift their perspective. Consider the fact that sitting physically in the same office as people doesn't guarantee productivity either. Again, people know how to look busy.

Being open about this fear

In the past, I've found myself articulating my insecurities with the people in my team. I explain that I struggle sometimes because I can't "see" them working and worry about how focused they are. I'm careful to explain that this is my fear and not necessarily the absolute truth.

At the same time, I acknowledge the reality that people aren't always fully focused on their work, some days people feel overwhelmed and get easily distracted. In this, I'm also accepting that at times my fears will be realised, they aren't being productive.

Avoiding work simply feels bad

So the final comment I've been making on this is about intrinsic motivation. Time spent avoiding work simply feels a bit “meh”.

I start from the assumption that everyone likes to make progress, they want to do well and be part of a high performing team. Humans have an essential need to contribute, and if we don't fulfil this it feels uncomfortable.

So my advice to people new to working remotely (or for those early on in their career) listen to yourself when you've spent time procrastinating, it doesn't feel good.

What is productivity anyway?

Beyond the insecurities of the leader, or the inner regulation of the team member, lies the broader question about productivity. What does it actually look like?

Our model of production originates from a time where it was easy to measure hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute. Making physical goods is quantifiable that way, creative and knowledge work simply isn't.

Have an open dialogue about what productivity actually looks like for your team. Could problem-solving not look like work at all? Our minds benefit from the body moving around, being in different contexts, away from a desk. And it's our minds which do the work.

Don't be afraid of the dark

Being open about this fear

Avoiding work simply feels bad

What is productivity anyway?

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