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Remote Leadership
Navigating the Challenges of Long-Distance Management
Since COVID-19 ravaged the world’s collective political and business minds, the phenomenon of long-distance or “parachute” bosses has become more prevalent. These managers/owners/CEOs are often based in different cities or even countries, and they tend to drop into the office periodically whilst attempting to lead from afar, sometimes leaving behind a trail of professional, emotional and professional carnage. Now, whilst this arrangement can offer certain advantages (usually for the one parachuting in!), it presents unique challenges for both senior leaders and their teams. I am not going to lie, having seen this phenomenon in far too many workplaces, understanding these challenges and implementing effective strategies to mitigate the impact is frankly, critical for maintaining and improving productivity, morale, and the professional growth of all employees!
OK, so one of the biggest issues that emerge from a long-distance management scenario is the lack of regular face-to-face interaction. Sounds like it should be a small thing right? I mean, we have Teams or Zoom so who needs to sit in the same office or across a table when we can screen-to-screen, right? Well, I am here to tell you (if you didn’t already know) that this absence can lead to communication breakdowns, misunderstandings, and a BIG…
