Navigating the Future: Remote Product Management, Team Building, etc.
In the world of modern work, remote product management has become more than just a trend; it's a necessity. As teams continue to adapt to the post-pandemic work environment, product managers find themselves at the forefront of this transformative journey.
As someone who has now worked remotely for a good portion of her career, I've had to find a lot of ways to keep my teams engaged while they are thousands, hundreds, miles, or blocks away from me. A lot of this has to do with how you conduct yourself in these meetings, but I find that a lot of the time it comes from how you set the standard of work in your team.
Ever hear of "XYX is a great example of what all people in our organization/workplace/school should be?" Well, that's because those people are the changemakers that get people to do things.
In this blog post, we'll explore insights and share invaluable tips for product managers navigating the challenges and opportunities of remote or distributed teams.
Embracing Change
The shift to remote work has been a transformative experience for many industries, including product management. Embracing this change begins with a mindset shift. Product managers must recognize the unique dynamics of remote work and approach their roles with adaptability and resilience.
If you think that a lot of things can happen easily change in office, wait until you learn about the dynamics of working from home! So much can happen and it's so much more close and personal than ever before. People get a glimpse into our lives in just a few minutes on the video screen than they ever could in office. And that's so much more intimate in getting to know your colleagues, your boss, or your direct reports.
Top Insights that Everyone Should Know About:
So, how do you make the same impact as a leader online as you would offline? Here's some hot takes and some tips.
Communication is Key:
Foster clear and consistent communication channels to bridge the virtual gap. Leverage various tools for messaging, video conferencing, and collaboration to keep the team connected.
I tend to be fairly transparent with my team (while keeping it professional). I love to start with the question "how are we entering this space today?" before starting a meeting to make sure that I'm using language that will help us communicate better. This helps paint the picture of who I'm speaking to and how they will receive information. Are they having a bad day? Then, I'll send follow up notes so they can zone out if they did during the meeting. Are they really hyper and taking on a lot of tasks? Sounds like anxiety, let me re-organize and re-prioritize with them post-meeting.
I think also following up in general and having scheduled timelines of check-in points is crucial to getting stuff done. Setting those expectations of "I'll check in with you around Thursday to see how you're feeling about progress" can help move those people a bit faster and see if there is a clear linear line of mutual respect.
Remote Collaboration Tools:
Explore and implement tools designed for remote collaboration. Platforms like Slack, Zoom, and Asana can enhance communication and streamline project management.
I'm obsessed with Slack's features, like Schedule, Stand-Up, Status Update, Huddle, and Call so you can get in touch with your colleagues at any point in time on your time.Let's say you have a team member that's in a different time zone. You can schedule a message at the time they will be online to catch them at the right moment. Or you're working through a problem and you see that your teammate doesn't have any Slack Status, so you reach out to them, get them on a call quickly, and work through something together.
Loom is another indispensable platform that I personally leverage for note-taking, documentation, and presenting my thoughts. This tool proves invaluable in preparing comprehensive presentations before engaging in larger group discussions. By encapsulating my ideas in a visual format, I save my team considerable time. Following a presentation, I structure questions based on the information shared, ensuring a focused and informed discussion.
By exploring and integrating these tools into your remote work toolkit, you can significantly enhance team collaboration, ensuring effective communication and streamlined project workflows.
Define Clear Processes:
Clearly define and document processes to ensure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities. This clarity is especially crucial in a remote setting. I love to use Confluence for this so I can link back to it in all of my Jira tickets. This helps instill process, quality requirements, and also larger company goals that can help keep people aligned with what we're trying to do so they don't go create something else that doesn't meet user expectations.
One goal I do have for 2024 is making them more "UX friendly." What I mean by that is actually making it a bit more interactive and "cleaner looking." Maybe making it less word heavy and more picture heavy.
Build a Virtual Culture:
Cultivate a sense of belonging among team members by organizing virtual team-building activities, regular check-ins, and celebrating milestones together. On most of the teams that I have been fortunate enough to lead, I've been able to host additional "parties" like coffee house get-togethers, pre-Scrum happy hours (late afternoon Scrums, I promise), or sometimes "DI&B chats," depending on what the 'vibe' is of the group. I think it's important for everyone to remember we are humans together and to also feel a sense of closeness in some way. I do think you have to monitor these a bit to make sure i is kept professional because I have seen them, as a DRI, go hay-wire and ruin relationships or even sometimes, respect.
Tips for Success:
#1 Flexible Scheduling:
Embrace flexible work hours to accommodate diverse time zones. This fosters inclusivity and allows team members to work during their most productive hours. I will, as a team lead, get up really early or stay up really late if you need me to since you're in a different time zone. I'm invested in you. People and the collaboration are the reason I love to work, so I will make the time. Nowadays with technology, I like to encourage my team members to also put on their calendars when they are and are not out of office during different points of the day so I know not to impede on their personal time. That can be normal scheduling or vacation days - just anything to help my team.
Also, at the end of the day, we want the team to be productive. I don't need everyone to be on at the same time all the time to get things done. Really, the only thing you need to worry about is if the person is delivering what they promised and if it's on time with the clear expectations you set with deadlines. If it does, then the fuss is not necessary.
If you are faced with technology hurdles, address technology challenges proactively. Provide necessary resources and support for team members to overcome technological obstacles.
#2 Set Clear Expectations:
Establish clear expectations regarding deadlines, goals, and communication norms. This clarity minimizes misunderstandings and enhances productivity. I think making it loud and clear and for everyone to hear is the best policy when it comes to expectations. I also think that it is good to bring up in meetings both formally and informally so that you can solidify it with your team. Just don't make it awkward in conversation - just speak about it like a norm you would with anything in your life.
If you're looking for how to tactically do this - I would keep it in my documentation and link to it everywhere. When you have it ready to be reviewed or have a new team member join, make sure to bring it up again and again. Be detailed about outcomes, feelings, deliverables, and all of your expectations on the page. If you have already made your team feel safe in their environment, then you can rely on them to ask questions as they get started so they can get really clear on what they need to do.
#3 Encourage Autonomy:
Empower team members by fostering an environment of trust and autonomy. Remote work thrives on individuals taking ownership of their tasks.
Tactically the only way to do this is to watch and observe from far away. You already gave them a lot to work with already so they can thrive and produce on their own, so now you wait for the outcome. When you set those deadlines for them to check-in or you set the expectation that you want them to check-in, then you can have them take the lead. Since you already told them what is expected, they can go ahead and take the lead on owning their work.
After you set up these expectations, you can most likely let them run on their own. And if you find that they cannot, well, it's time for you to review your process of relaying information. Get feedback from them on what wasn't clear. Sometimes, it's too little information, but more often times than not, sometimes it's because it's too much information. Remember how I said that I want to make sure I make my documentation more UX friendly? Well, it's because sometimes even when you're the most proactive leader, it doesn't mean everyone is on the same page and we all need to be aware of the different people we lead over time.
#4 Continuous Learning:
Encourage a culture of continuous learning to foster innovation and stay ahead in the dynamic landscape of remote product management. Product managers should proactively stay updated on the latest remote collaboration tools, industry best practices, and emerging trends. Personally, I make it a practice to enroll in a course or two each year to expand my skillset and contribute to the collective growth of our team. This commitment to ongoing learning not only enhances my capabilities but also positions me to champion the adoption of cutting-edge tools and methodologies within the team. By incorporating continuous learning into our culture, we not only stay competitive but also create an environment where knowledge-sharing becomes a shared journey, elevating the entire team's expertise.
The Path Forward
Remote product management is not without its challenges, but it presents a unique opportunity for growth, innovation, and inclusivity. By embracing change, leveraging technology, and fostering a virtual culture, product managers can lead their teams to success in the post-pandemic era.
As we navigate this dynamic landscape, one thing is clear: remote product management is here to stay. Those who adapt and thrive in this new environment will not only meet the demands of the present but also shape the future of collaborative and effective product development.
