Coaching is a great way to build trust and enhance performance. When it’s done well, Managers get to enjoy watching team members grow and succeed.
Good coaching is based on meaningful conversations that highlight strengths and areas for improvement, which can be a challenge in person and even more so for remote teams.
When you work in the office, you have plenty of opportunities to connect, here’s how to connect from a distance.
Make time to establish some common ground.
Learn not just what they do in the office but where they choose to spend the rest of their time. Doing this helps you understand what they are working on in their day-to-day, which builds rapport and trust.
If you saw them in the office, you’d see them rush out on Wednesdays at 4pm for their son's soccer game, when they work remotely you need to ask.
Including time for the personal conversation may feel awkward or forced, especially if your style is D or C, and if you have added it to a list. But keep at it. The more you practice, the easier it gets and when you experience a more successful coaching conversation, it will all be worthwhile.
For more tips on remote coaching...Click here