Tips on Managing Remote Teams 

Managing Remote Teams? Keep It Simple. 

Small business owners don’t have time for fluff. You’re spinning plates, chasing deadlines, and making things happen. So, when it comes to managing remote teams, the last thing you need is a complicated system. 

The good news? Remote work doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right mindset (and a few smart moves), you can build a remote team that’s productive, connected, and enjoys the work. 

Here’s how to do it... 

1. Keep communication crystal clear. 

Remote teams run on communication but not the endless meetings kind. We’re talking real, no-nonsense clarity. 

Say what you mean. Keep your messages short, useful, and easy to understand. And when in doubt? Say less. 

Top tip: Use bullet points when you can. Break big tasks into smaller ones. Always check: Would I want to read this? 

2. Set expectations early and stick to them. 

Remote doesn’t mean vague. If people don’t know what success looks like, they’ll make it up and not always in the right direction. 

So, be specific. What is the goal? Who owns what? When’s it due? 

Make sure every project has: 

• A clear owner 

• A deadline (not just “ASAP”) 

• A way to track progress (without 50 check-ins) 

• Once you’ve set the bar, trust your team to reach it. Clarity + accountability = momentum. 

3. Use the right tools. Not all of them. 

There are thousands of tools out there. But you don’t need all of them, you need the right ones. 

Pick tools that do what you need without getting in the way. Then make sure everyone knows how (and when) to use them. 

Think: 

• Slack or Teams for quick chats 

• Zoom or Google Meet for face time 

• Trello, Asana, or ClickUp for tasks 

• Google Docs or Notion for shared docs 

4. Build a team that feels like a team. 

Just because you’re not in an office doesn’t mean you can’t build a culture. In fact, remote teams need more intention to stay connected. 

Start meetings with a quick check-in. Celebrate wins. Laugh together. Share photos of your dogs. Yes, really. 

Why it matters? When people feel like part of a team, they show up. Not just because they must but because they want to. 

5. Lead with trust, not fear. 

Micromanagement is the fastest way to kill remote morale. You hired smart people, so let them do their thing. 

That means trusting them to manage their time, work their way, and speak up when they hit a snag. 

Top tip: Measure output, not screen time. What gets done matters more than how long it took. 

Support them when they need it. Step back when they don’t. 

6. Think remote is easy? Think again. 

Anyone can throw together a Zoom call. But building a remote team that’s clear, connected, and performs? That takes work. 

You must keep things human. Check in without hovering. Give feedback without friction. And above all, listen to your team. 

Remote doesn’t mean distant. It just means different. When you lead with empathy and cut through the noise, your team will follow. 

Simplicity scales

Managing remote teams isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about stripping away complexity and focusing on what really works. 

So, be clear, be kind, be bold and keep it simple. 

That’s how we do it, and it works.