Remote work has transformed how businesses operate, offering flexibility, access to global talent, and opportunities to cut costs. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, not always. Managing a remote team isn’t as simple as handing out tasks and waiting for magic to happen. The truth is, remote teams can fail—and often it’s because of avoidable mistakes made by business owners.
At DigiWorks, we’ve seen it all. Remote work can be an incredible success story, but only if you get it right. Let’s dive into the top seven mistakes business owners make when managing remote teams and, more importantly, how you can avoid them.
1. Neglecting a Proper Onboarding Process
Imagine it’s your virtual assistant’s first day, and they log in excited to start… only to be greeted by radio silence. No instructions, no tools, no idea where to begin. Talk about awkward.
Why It’s a Problem: Poor onboarding sets a shaky foundation. Without clarity, your new hire feels lost, overwhelmed, or unprepared, leading to slow productivity or even early turnover.
How to Fix It:
- Create a detailed onboarding plan, covering everything from setting up tools to introducing company values.
- Share a clear roadmap for their role, including training sessions and small starter tasks.
- Use tools like Asana or Trello to track progress during the onboarding period.
A little effort upfront makes a big difference in helping your remote employees hit the ground running.
2. Poor Communication Practices in Distributed Teams
Remote work lives and dies by communication. If your emails are vague or your Slack messages feel like deciphering a cryptic code, it’s no wonder things get lost in translation.
Why It’s a Problem: Without the natural back-and-forth of in-office interactions, poor communication leads to misunderstandings, missed deadlines, and frustrated team members.
How to Fix It:
- Set clear guidelines for communication, like preferred tools (e.g., Slack for quick updates, Zoom for meetings) and response times.
- Balance synchronous and asynchronous communication to accommodate different time zones and working styles.
- Be transparent. Share updates, project progress, and feedback openly.
Think of communication as the glue that holds your remote team together. The stronger it is, the better everything sticks. Read more from Hubspot: 14 Signs Your Remote Team is Communicating Ineffectively.
3. Micromanaging Remote Workers
Let’s get real—no one likes a helicopter boss. Constantly checking in on what your team is doing doesn’t build trust; it builds resentment.
Why It’s a Problem: Micromanagement suffocates autonomy and erodes morale. Remote workers, in particular, need space to manage their time effectively.
How to Fix It:
- Focus on results, not how they’re achieved. What matters is the outcome, not how many hours someone spent at their desk.
- Use tools like Monday.com to track progress without hovering.
- Trust your team to do what you hired them for.
Give your distributed team room to breathe, and you’ll be amazed at what they can accomplish on their own.
Read more: 14 Strategies For Effectively Managing People At Work
4. Failing to Build a Strong Team Culture
If your remote team feels like a group of strangers working in silos, it’s time to rethink your approach to culture. Yes, culture exists even when you’re miles apart.
Why It’s a Problem: Without a sense of belonging, team members can feel isolated and disconnected, which affects collaboration and loyalty.
How to Fix It:
- Host virtual team-building activities, like trivia nights or casual coffee chats.
- Celebrate birthdays, work anniversaries, and big wins. It’s the little things that make people feel valued.
- Share your company values and mission regularly to keep everyone aligned.
Remember, building culture isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about creating moments of connection that remind your team they’re part of something bigger.
5. Not Providing the Right Tools and Resources
Imagine asking someone to build a house without giving them a hammer. That’s exactly what it’s like when you expect your remote team to thrive without the right tools.
Why It’s a Problem: Without the proper tech stack, workflows become clunky, time is wasted, and frustration levels skyrocket.
How to Fix It:
- Invest in essential tools like Slack (communication), Notion (collaboration), and Time Doctor (productivity tracking).
- Offer training sessions to ensure everyone knows how to use these tools effectively.
- Regularly review your tools and upgrade if something better comes along.
When it comes to remote work, the right tools are non-negotiable. They’re the foundation for seamless collaboration.
6. Ignoring Time Zone Challenges
It’s 7 a.m. in Austin, Texas, and your team in the Philippines is wrapping up their day. Meanwhile, your London-based developer is still fast asleep. If you’re not careful, time zones can turn remote work into a scheduling nightmare.
Why It’s a Problem: Without proper planning, meetings are inconvenient, communication lags, and deadlines get missed.
How to Fix It:
- Identify overlapping working hours for key team members and schedule meetings during those windows.
- Embrace asynchronous work for tasks that don’t require immediate responses.
- Rotate meeting times to ensure no one consistently has to sacrifice their work-life balance.
Flexibility is the name of the game when working across time zones.
7. Overlooking Recognition and Career Growth
Remote workers often miss out on the little moments of praise you’d naturally give in an office. Over time, this can make them feel undervalued or stuck in their roles.
Why It’s a Problem: When employees don’t feel recognized or see a path for growth, they disengage—or worse, leave.
How to Fix It:
- Celebrate wins, big and small, during team meetings or in a dedicated Slack channel.
- Offer professional development opportunities, like online courses or certifications.
- Discuss career goals during one-on-one check-ins and map out how they can grow within your company.
Recognition doesn’t have to be elaborate. A simple “Great job!” can go a long way in keeping morale high.
Avoiding These Mistakes = Remote Success
Remote teams don’t fail because remote work doesn’t work. They fail because of missteps that are totally avoidable. By prioritizing clear communication, building trust, fostering culture, and providing the right tools, you set your team up for success.
At DigiWorks, we’ve helped countless businesses build thriving remote teams, and we’re here to help you do the same. Let’s work together to create a team that not only meets but exceeds your expectations—no matter where in the world they’re working from.
Ready to Build a Better Remote Team?
Don’t let these mistakes hold you back. Reach out to DigiWorks today to learn how we can help you hire, onboard, and manage remote talent like a pro. Your dream team is just a few clicks away!