Editor’s note: David Deacon is a human resources professional and the author of The Self-Determined Manager: A Manifesto for Exceptional People Managers. 

Managing remotely has quickly become the norm in today’s work world. And it isn’t easy. With more employees working remotely or on flex schedules, it can be tough to create the kind of connection you need to help people do their best work. You can’t pick up on nonverbal cues. You can’t tell if they’re having a good or bad day. You can’t have those quick, informal interactions needed to form comfortable, cooperative relationships.

This is why you must be intentional about projecting to your remote workers the kind of environment and team culture you want.

You must ask more, listen better, clarify more, explore challenges together and engage on personal stuff in addition to work stuff. The best managers are able to do these things in a way that builds loyalty as well as connections that endure the ups and downs of corporate life.

The best managers seek to intentionally shape work environments. Managers who excel at creating the best environments, where people thrive and great work gets done, are self-determined managers. This is challenging and relentless work even when everyone works in close quarters. So, when distance is a factor, a great manager must push even harder to build a positive culture and get the most out of their team. 

Here are eight things the best managers do to successfully lead remote teams:

They keep in touch. Great managers connect with their people by e-mail, Skype or phone conversations. This isn’t an occasional event either; it’s a regular and predictable conversation that they look forward to. 

They focus on more than tasks. The best managers know they need to show that they worry about everyone’s successes and challenges. It’s not only about the project or job at hand. 

They discuss personal and professional subjects. Being remote doesn’t mean treating people like distant relatives. Good managers master the art of chatting and also take time to discuss and share information about what’s going on. 

They even talk about themselves a little. They know that managing well is personal, and they don’t forget this just because their team member isn’t in the room with them that day.

They listen more carefully. The greatest managers listen more when they are talking with people who aren’t in the room with them. They are more attentive; more alert for signs and clues; and more conscious of the need to understand what is really going on. 

They are clear about what they need done. They know the goals their employee needs to achieve and what standards need to be met. They know it’s harder to course correct along the way when everyone is remote and that less time together requires more clarity up front. 

They ask more questions. Great managers ask questions about context, things that get in the way, local relationships and resources. They make fewer assumptions that they know how things are or what would be best, so they inquire more and assume less. 

They do more coaching. There is a ton of value in exploring alternatives and options, and that’s what coaching is. As a result, a large part of the conversation between a manager and remote worker is spent coming up with great solutions given the environment the employee is working in – talking about priorities, resources, opportunities, possible pitfalls and choices. 

Supportive environment 

Bad managers do the opposite of these things. They listen less, not more. They make assumptions and do not offer help. They gather information they need but do not share. They give tasks without offering support. They take little interest in the person on the other end of the line. And they do not look forward to the conversation but see it as a chore.

To steer clear of these mistakes, grab a Post-it and create a checklist. Refer to it before you connect with your remote team. When you’ve covered all of these items, you’ll have had a really good call with them.

It takes a conscious effort to avoid the pitfalls of managing remotely. You can get the best out of your remote workforce by showing up for your team and projecting a supportive environment to them. Anything less and you’re missing a valuable opportunity to get the very best from your people.