Accepting The Challenge of Leading from a Distance

For me, one of the most challenging aspects of what I do is lead teams, and individuals, from a distance. Our company has 11 Regional Field Supervisors who report directly to me. Those 11 guys have approximately 420 staff members who report to them. I see my team in person (as a complete team) 2-3 times per year. We have monthly conference calls and then, of course, there are many, many individual calls, texts and e-mails that fill in the other weeks. Here's where the struggle is for me: How do I know if I am keeping them engaged and accountable? How do I know if I am doing a good job of keeping their Passion Buckets full? As someone who has worked from home for the last 12 years, I am in the same boat as my team: islands unto ourselves, responsible for completing all of our tasks and keeping ourselves motivated without direct supervision or camaraderie. There are no metrics by which to measure character, enthusiasm and heart.

I just got off the phone from my monthly call with my team; with it being the first month of the New Year there was a lot to go over. Our calls are normally strictly kept to an hour, but today was 70 minutes. The first part of the call looked back to 2012, the next part of the call allowed for them to address topics with each other and the final time was spent outlining plans for 2013, specifically what we are going to do to "Be Better” in 2013. My mission in that last 10 minutes was to engage, challenge, inspire and fill their Passion Buckets. But when we are forced to lead from a distance, with phone calls, texts and emails being the primary communication tools, how do we know if we hit the mark? Did we engage them? Do they feel challenged, or put upon?? Did their Passion Buckets get filled, or spilled? When there is no body language to read, no verbal cues to follow, it is REALLY hard to know if the information was received in the spirit with which it was intended. I am a feedback person – I NEED feedback – so a few short “goodbyes” after the “mission”, don’t do it for me. I hung up the phone wondering, “Did the call make a difference”? In my head I know the calls make a difference. I am so very fortunate to be surrounded by a super team that is committed to our company and what we are tasked with accomplishing every day. But in my heart, I wish there was a way to know for sure that I am doing them justice in leading them from a distance.

I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on how you best lead from a distance because in the end, as I find is the case in so many things related to leadership, there is not one right answer to the question. As for me, I will continue to be a leader who: checks with my brain while following my heart and my gut; do my best to communicate, communicate, communicate by any and all appropriate means; and hang on for the ride as we see progress happening at the Speed of Life.

Is your company looking for a speaker to fill the Passion Buckets of your franchisees, or company employees, at your next event? If so, I can be reached at (815) 222-1894. I would welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your company's needs and goals for your event. The main topics I speak on are: passionate leadership, embracing change and succeeding in family business.