14 Tips for Managing Remote Teams in Startup Environments
From fostering interaction in remote teams to bridging gaps with empathetic communication, fourteen startup leaders, including CEOs and a COO, share their firsthand challenges and solutions in managing remote teams. Discover the full spectrum of insights in this comprehensive guide, where each expert offers a unique perspective on steering startup teams to success from afar.
- Fostering Interaction in Remote Teams
- Instilling Urgency With Daily Stand-Ups
- Streamlining Communication With Dedicated Software
- Personalizing Employee Engagement Virtually
- Facilitating Task Prioritization for Employees
- Blending Digital Tools With Personal Interests
- Implementing Project Management for Team Focus
- Creating Celebratory Moments for Hybrid Teams
- Streamlining Updates With Team Lead Meetings
- Innovating With Regular Team Showcases
- Connecting Teams With Fun Fact Fridays
- Building Camaraderie With a Buddy System
- Maintaining Cohesion Through Regular Video Meetings
- Bridging Gaps With Empathetic Communication
Fostering Interaction in Remote Teams
Allowing autonomy and flexibility to meet KPIs helped me manage my remote team in my startup. One challenge I encountered was the lack of communication since we operate remotely, but this was resolved by keeping communication lines open and setting schedules that fit everyone.
Sometimes, I ask my team to open their mics and cameras during meetings to foster genuine interaction and avoid misinterpretation, which can arise in a remote setup.
Ella Miller, CEO, Founder, and Pediatrician, CoalaHola
Instilling Urgency With Daily Stand-Ups
The most difficult aspect of managing remote teams in a startup environment was maintaining accountability and a sense of urgency. To address this, I instituted a daily stand-up meeting structure in which each team member discussed their top priorities for the day, as well as any potential barriers.
This created a platform for real-time problem-solving and ensured that everyone was on the same page with the most important duties. In addition, we used project management systems that allowed us to track individual and team development in real-time.
This improved responsibility while also creating a virtual environment that mirrored the startup’s fast-paced nature. By promoting a culture of daily check-ins and employing technology for real-time collaboration and progress tracking, we overcame the difficulty of maintaining a sense of urgency and accountability.
Brian Mathew, Owner, Computer Technicians
Streamlining Communication With Dedicated Software
Remote work offers numerous communication options, such as email, instant messaging apps, and video conferencing; however, the abundance of platforms and the absence of non-verbal cues can lead to communication issues and misunderstandings.
Remote employees frequently encounter this challenge, and remote management teams must address it regularly. Unlike in traditional office settings, where you can easily turn to a colleague for input on a project or participate in in-person brainstorming meetings, remote communication requires scheduled video calls, messaging, and other digital means.
To address this, a solution to enhance team communication by using dedicated software has grown popular. Platforms like Slack and WhatsApp are used for communication and collaboration needs.
This eliminates the need to constantly check multiple tools for project updates or task-related questions. Integrating tools with other popular communication solutions like Microsoft Teams and Google Workspace are also useful.
Precious Abacan, Digital Marketing Manager, Softlist
Personalizing Employee Engagement Virtually
Effectively managing your company involves organizing regular Zoom calls with employees, dedicating an hour or two to listen to their needs and concerns. This practice significantly benefits their work environment.
Schedule two calls annually, one in the middle of the year and another towards the end. Prioritize understanding their needs and consider sending a coffee gift card before the meeting, allowing your employees to enjoy a virtual coffee chat.
Demonstrating this level of care translates to increased employee dedication—the more you invest in their well-being, the more motivated and committed they are to their work.
Nick Eischens, COO, Popl
Facilitating Task Prioritization for Employees
Managing remote teams can be tricky, but it’s easier in a startup environment with fewer employees. My top tip is to ensure you have an open line of communication with your employees.
Check in frequently, let them know they can always call you when an issue arises, and ensure you schedule video calls to discuss projects as you would in person. One of my top challenges is employees who can’t prioritize on their own, but you just need to be able to adapt to their needs.
In this situation, it’s important to set up tasks with plenty of details and a list ordered by priority to ensure there are no misunderstandings. Let them know that you’re there for any questions, and you’ll be sure to have a productive startup team!
Joanna Zambas, Content and Marketing Manager, CareerAddict
Blending Digital Tools With Personal Interests
Managing a remote startup team at our company requires a blend of digital efficiency and personal connection. We tackle the challenge of team cohesion across time zones with regular virtual meetings focused on tasks and shared interests, especially our love for dogs. These sessions are more than just work discussions; they’re an opportunity for team members to connect over pet stories, aligning with our business ethos and fostering a sense of community.
We complement this approach with robust digital tools for project management and communication. These platforms ensure clear goal-setting, progress tracking, and transparent responsibilities, keeping the team aligned with our objectives. Integrating our passion for dogs into these interactions makes them more engaging and reinforces the collective passion that drives our business.
Garrett Yamasaki, Founder and CEO, WeLoveDoodles
Implementing Project Management for Team Focus
Coming from an engineering background and transitioning into a founder role for multiple startups, I faced a significant challenge in adapting team communication to a remote environment. It became evident that traditional communication methods didn’t translate well.
Recognizing this, we implemented a formal project management system across all groups, including marketing, sales, operations, and engineering—a move that has proven immensely beneficial.
In our latest venture, we adhere to a strict rule: every actionable item is meticulously tracked, prioritized, assigned an owner, and eventually delivered.
We’ve found that this structured approach allows each remote team—whether in marketing, operations, sales, or engineering—to identify key deliverables, manage short- and long-term goals, and maintain a razor-sharp focus on continuous work delivery.
Intesar Mohammed, CEO, Founder, PerfAI, Inc.
Creating Celebratory Moments for Hybrid Teams
Creating moments that matter equally for all team members is a challenge that is often overlooked. When a major win occurs, the experience differs significantly between those in the office regularly and remote workers.
Remote employees are aware of the achievement, but they don’t feel the same celebratory energy, which can lead to a more exhausting job experience as the payoff for their efforts isn’t as tangible.
To address this, it’s essential to organize a hybrid workforce where possible. My recommendation is to hold at least one or two meetings annually that bring these impactful moments to everyone’s attention. Even if it’s not feasible to gather everyone in one location, at the very least, organizing meetups for remote workers who live near each other can help bridge the gap.
Dragos Badea, CEO, Yarooms
Streamlining Updates With Team Lead Meetings
There are many ways of going about this, but I wanted to find a way that is the least intrusive and micromanaging-like.
As a CEO, one issue I have encountered while managing remote teams is not knowing what everyone is up to since it’s very easy for information to get lost among all the departments. I needed a way to know what everyone was doing to streamline our processes, whether we were talking about marketing, design, or development.
I’ve found that having your team leads organize short, 15-minute meetings with their respective teams at the start of every workday and then reporting a concise version of that once a week to me and the product lead is the best way to ensure competent communication among all departments.
It also gives a chance for everyone to share their wins or losses and declare what they’re going to be working on for the day. This way, you can manage what everyone’s doing without micromanaging your team!
Justin Albertynas, CEO, Ratepunk
Innovating With Regular Team Showcases
A distinctive challenge in managing remote teams was keeping everyone aligned with our startup’s fast-paced culture. To overcome this, we introduced innovation showcases.
Each team member regularly shared innovative ideas or solutions, fostering a culture of constant improvement.
This not only addressed the challenge but also fueled creativity and engagement across our remote teams, ensuring that our startup’s culture remained vibrant and adaptive.
Connecting Teams With Fun Fact Fridays
Leading a remote startup team is like hosting a worldwide party, but one challenge was the lack of casual chats. So, we introduced Fun Fact Fridays. Each week, team members shared something interesting about themselves.
It brought a personal touch to our virtual workspace, turning it into a global hangout. Now, even miles apart, we’re more connected than ever.
Cyrus Partow, CEO, ShipTheDeal
Building Camaraderie With a Buddy System
To address the difficulty of distant team cohesion in a startup, I devised a virtual “buddy system.” Each week, each team member was paired at random with another colleague, and their duty was to have a virtual coffee discussion or cooperate on a non-work-related project.
This fostered not only casual interactions but also cross-functional collaboration. It allowed team members to get to know one another outside of job obligations, developing a sense of camaraderie.
This method not only addressed the issue of isolation but also produced a more integrated and innovative team, breaking down silos within the startup’s remote structure.
Amanda Leary, Studio Coordinator, GOODSTONE
Maintaining Cohesion With Regular Video Meetings
One effective strategy I use for managing remote teams is establishing clear communication channels and regular check-ins. A challenge I often encounter is ensuring team cohesion and maintaining a shared vision.
To overcome this, I implemented weekly video meetings and regular one-on-one sessions, which helped keep everyone aligned and fostered a sense of community despite the physical distance.
These meetings became a platform not just for work discussions but also for team members to share personal updates, contributing to a stronger team bond.
Daniel Bunn, Director, DB IT
Bridging Gaps With Empathetic Communication
In my eight years of leading remote teams in a startup environment, the challenge of communication across different time zones and cultures has been a constant learning curve. Misunderstandings often arose, not from a lack of intent or effort, but from the nuances lost in asynchronous communication.
Each time this challenge surfaced, I simply picked up the phone and had a real conversation—this approach didn’t just resolve issues; it bridged emotional gaps and brought team members closer.
This experience has taught us that in the world of remote work, empathy and direct communication are key to not just maintaining but strengthening team bonds.
Abhi Godara, Founder and CEO, Venturz
