Goals are what keep us forging ahead. Without clear objectives and expectations, we probably wouldn’t get a lot done.  

For those of us who are working from home, having goals is essential to success. Goals help teams stay productive while focused on a common objective. They also help managers measure progress and connect everybody to the overarching mission and vision.  

Fortunately, we have many options to keep us on track, making working from home both a viable and productive approach.  

Experienced Remote Workers Are Good Goal-Setters 

If some of your employees are already working from home or if you have a distributed team, many of them are likely comfortable working without any oversight. However, when your entire workforce shifts to remote work, keep in mind that not everybody will be fully productive right away.  

Some employees are okay working on their own. But if they are used to working in a team environment and depend on outside direction to inform their progress, it might be more challenging to get them up to speed.  

Adjusting Your Management Style 

Ultimately, significant changes will have to come from your management team. How they track progress, set priorities, and maintain accountability will determine the outcome. Team success depends on effective goal-setting and processes for monitoring outcomes. 

Your success is dependent on effective leadership, so be sure you are communicating company goals to the entire team, not just to leadership. That way, employees will find it easier to connect their work to the greater cause. Workers take their cues from leaders, so the better you communicate, the more open you are, the easier it will be to engage your team.  

Some Employees Might Need More Help 

Sometimes younger workers (ie Millennials) or newer team members benefit from consistent feedback, reassurance, and guidance. They thrive when they are part of a team. Their productivity might drop off if left to their own devices. 

On the other hand, Millennials are very comfortable with technology, so technology-driven remote work solutions will help them succeed. While these character traits can be spun either way, what it boils down to is this: you will need to pay more attention to what they are doing and how they are managing their time. In the effort to help them reach their individual and collective goals, technology can be a big help. 

Set Short-Term and Long-Range Goals 

If you already set individual milestones with your in-office staff, you’re well on your way. Establishing goals for your remote employees is not much different; the most significant change will be how you measure progress.  

Shared goals are a team effort toward a common objective. Before we get into tracking the macros, here are a few quick tips on how to succeed with long-range goals while working from home: 

• Since every individual has a part to play, be sure that every team member knows each others responsibilities. 
• If one task is dependent on another person’s input, ensure those people are checking in with each other regularly. Check-ins could be daily, weekly, or multiple times a day, depending on the task. 
• Teams and workgroups should check in with each other at least weekly, or more often if needed.  
• Hold a weekly scrum to go over priorities for the coming days, update progress towards common goals, and to celebrate wins.  

Zoom, Google Hangouts, WhatsApp, and Microsoft Teams are all great tools in the effort to stay aligned. Use a visual medium for group meetings and scrums, and leverage workgroup tools like Slack to keep everyone connected to projects and each other. Sometimes, knowing that your teammates are just a click away is a great comfort. 

Using Check-Ins To Stay On Top Of Short-Term Goals 

Short-term goals can be discussed during check-ins. How often you schedule these check-ins is up to you, but you need to take individual employees and their personalities into account as well as the team dynamic. Some people will require more oversight than others. Your management approach must stay fluid so you can respond to the needs.  

Your new approach will possibly be a change for everybody. Here’s what you can do to ensure your goals and milestones are met: 

• Communicate short-term goals to the entire team. This should be separate from your weekly meetings and scrums. Choose a set time of day to send out updates, so employees know what to expect. In times of uncertainty, consistency is critical.  
• If you have a couple of employees who are struggling with the new directives, connect them with another team member who can help them. It’s part mentorship, part buddy system, but either way, it’s another layer of accountability to support your goals. 

Remember, having goals is critical in the effort to support your teams as they work from home. Goals help us focus, engage, and stay productive even when everything else is uncertain. Good communication, strong leadership, and consistency will get you through.