Digital Nomads Are The Future of Work

Top 4 tips on how to manage remote employees

Over two years ago, the Covid-19 pandemic launched many of us into a remote office set-up that proved to be beneficial for many companies and their employees. One study showed that between 2019 and 2021, remote workers increased by 112%. 

Digital nomads, people using technology to work remotely from anywhere in the world, tend to enjoy a better work-life balance and experience increased productivity. Managing a remote team correctly, however, is crucial to reap these advantages and avoid burnout. 

1. Communication is key. With fewer in-person interactions, it is critical not to let important messages get lost. Messaging apps help teams stay connected and enhance workplace communication, which is crucial when working remotely. Platforms, such as Slack and Teams, are great messaging apps for businesses. They help managers stay in contact with employees and help them work together, preventing minor misunderstandings from becoming larger problems. 

Virtual communications platforms create a way for employees to stay organized and coordinated with each other on various projects and tasks. Consistent communication with your employees is imperative to team productivity and motivation. 

Other platforms, such as Asana, are effective tools that can simplify task management. Asana clearly presents team goals and deadlines, helping simplify workflow, reduce errors, and save time. 

2. Work-life Balance is essential to managing a digital nomad lifestyle. Stress is not conducive to productivity, so it is essential to encourage your employees to have fun. One great perk of this lifestyle is the freedom to take breaks to enjoy experiences without feeling you are stuck in an office environment. 

It is important to make time for breaks. Having the flexibility to stop and reset during your day can help to prevent burnout. You can even go on a vacation and work while at your destination without losing a day's work. “Workcationing” is made possible by all of the great technology made available for remote workers to collaborate as a team online. 

Being flexible is crucial to maintaining a work-life balance. Create personalized work schedules that adhere to professional and personal commitments. You can set your work day around events, travel, and opportunities without asking for time off. 

Flexible remote work hours is a key driver of productivity and job satisfaction. Offering flexible hours, healthcare benefits, encouraging time off, and reimbursing expenses tell an employee the job doesn’t come at the expense of their well-being. 

3. Team-Building is important in every workplace, but is imperative for a successful remote business. Motivation can decline with extended periods of isolation. Set aside specific times for the team to express appreciation, voice opinions or concerns, or even host social events during lunch breaks to help teammates feel connected. These bonding experiences can grow strictly work-based relationships into friendships and will strengthen the workforce and increase productivity. Team-building generates enthusiasm, excitement, and improves team efficiency. 

4. Empathy is one of, if not the most, critical traits for management to have. Remote work means the chances for social interaction in an office environment do not occur organically. These informal interactions are ways to develop connections and demonstrate empathy in the workplace, and for remote teams, that process needs to be more deliberate. When managers show empathy, team members feel heard and understood. They are more likely to share their struggles, which allows managers to help them resolve issues and address concerns. 

Digital nomadism will continue to expand and grow quickly. Many employees are embracing a location-independent, technology-empowered lifestyle. It is worth taking advantage of the freedom that comes from being able to work from anywhere. This lifestyle can be executed successfully when the right steps are taken toward caring for a remote work team.

Mary Elizabeth Elkordy is the Founder of Elkordy Global Strategies. Connect Mary Elizabeth Elkordy