10 Skills Every Boss Needs to Run a Remote Company Successfully

Maria Petit

There are many benefits to running a remote company, on one side, you have access to a larger talent pool, you can save on office costs, and employees are happier and more productive when they work from home. But remote companies also come with their own set of challenges. The biggest challenge is making sure that the remote team is managed effectively. 

So, what makes a good remote boss? And how can you lead a remote team effectively? In this article, we will discuss the 10 skills every boss needs to run a remote company successfully. Stay tuned!

We are permanently entering the era of seeing your employees or your boss through a screen; there is no turning back! And as we enter this new era, it is important to know the new skills needed to survive and thrive in a remote company.

Fortunately, in this age of technological advancement, the modern workplace is no longer limited to physical office space. Many companies have begun to embrace the convenience and flexibility of remote work, allowing employees to collaborate from anywhere in the world. This shift has opened up a multitude of resources for businesses looking to improve their workplace culture and overall productivity. 

From online communication tools to virtual team-building activities, there are countless options for remote companies to bring their teams closer together

Welcome to the digital workplace!

However, we mostly think this reinvention of the workplace only takes place around new laptops and signing up for an account in Slack. Yet, this is far from reality. Today, jobs are very different from those of the previous generation, so everyone alike must navigate a work environment that is more dynamic and uncertain than ever.

Because professions and skills are changing at such a quick pace, there is an increasing need to update skills as well 

The World Economic Forum estimated that by 2020, 35% of the skills required by workers will have changed, regardless of industry. This survey also stated that one in every four adults noted a mismatch between the abilities they had and the skills needed for their present position. Hence, the need for re-skilling.

Companies forecast that 50% of workers will require reskilling in six months or less, and 94% of business leaders want employees to learn new skills, a significant increase from 65% in 2018.

Regardless, don’t feel useless if your current skills are no longer “modern enough” as learning opportunities are everywhere, and we are here to help you out. Let’s review these skills!

10 Skills Every Boss Needs to Run a Remote Company Successfully

As technology becomes more widely adopted, in-demand skills across jobs will shift over the next 5 years, and skill gaps will grow, therefore, if you don’t want to fall into the oblivion hole. The following skills are what we believe every boss needs to have to successfully manage a remote team.

Analytical Thinking and Innovation

One of the crucial skills that every boss needs to successfully run a remote company is the ability to think analytically and find innovative solutions. In a traditional office setting, it’s easier for managers to assess projects and resolve issues in real time. 

However, in a remote setting, bosses have to rely on communication technology and digital tools to gather information and make important decisions. This requires:

• synthesizing data, 
• considering multiple perspectives, 
• and finding creative solutions that will work for the entire team. 

Without strong analytical thinking and a drive for innovation, it can be difficult for remote companies to thrive and adapt in an ever-changing market. It’s essential for bosses to continuously hone these skills to lead their teams effectively and efficiently from afar. 

Active Learning and Learning Strategies

The boss needs to have active learning and learning strategies. This includes the ability to actively seek out information and learn quickly in response to new challenges or changes. It also includes having a strategy in place for continuing to learn and grow while managing a remote team. 

In a remote company, it can be easy for the boss to become isolated from other colleagues and lose opportunities for professional development. By actively seeking out learning opportunities, the boss can continue to thrive and lead their team effectively, even from a distance. 

In active learning, everyone is energetically engaged and participating in the learning process. This can include discussing challenges with employees and group problem-solving activities

Additionally, being able to implement active learning strategies can help the boss encourage growth and development within their remote team as well. 

Complex Problem Solving 

As the boss of a remote company, complex problem-solving is an essential skill to drive success for your team. Without physically being in the office, it can be challenging to navigate and solve complex issues that arise.

This can create unique challenges for bosses, especially when it comes to dealing with unexpected issues or conflicts. The ability to analyze a situation from multiple perspectives and find creative solutions is crucial for ensuring smooth operations in a remote company.

Moreover, complex problem-solving skills also allow bosses to anticipate potential problems and proactively implement strategies for preventing them. Having a knack for complex problem-solving can greatly benefit the success of any boss running a remote company!

Critical Thinking and Analysis

Critical thinking and analytical thinking are often used interchangeably, but they are actually quite distinct. While critical thinking involves questioning assumptions and seeking out different perspectives, analytical thinking focuses on breaking down information and finding logical solutions. 

Both critical and analytical thinking skills are important for critical problem-solving, but they can also complement each other in unique ways. For example, critical thinking helps us to evaluate the validity of an argument, while analytical thinking helps us to come up with solutions or generate new ideas based on that evaluation.

Without the ability to carefully analyze situations, assess options, and make sound decisions, it can be challenging to lead a remote team effectively

Critical thinking allows a boss to adapt to unexpected changes and find creative solutions to problems that may arise in a remote work setting. Being able to think critically also helps a boss prioritize tasks and delegate responsibilities appropriately, ensuring that all team members are employed effectively. 

Creativity, Originality, and Initiative

As the boss of a remote company, it’s essential to have creativity and originality to keep things fresh and interesting for your team. It’s also important to have the initiative to take charge and make decisions that improve remote work processes.

Creativity involves bosses looking for ways to keep high rates of retention and employee engagement. For example, engaging in virtual onboarding is a way of having everyone in the organization excited about the company culture and values. 

This means consistently seeking out new ways to engage employees and encouraging originality in project execution

Another way to show creativity and originality is by implementing new communication systems or project management methods that can improve efficiency and demonstrate innovative thinking. 

Additionally, supporting and encouraging creativity among your employees can help lead to groundbreaking ideas and solutions. In a remote setting, it’s important to create a company culture that values innovation and outside-of-the-box thinking. 

Leadership and Social Influence

Bosses of remote companies need to have leadership skills so they can provide employees with a sense of purpose and direction, even when they’re working from home. 

To inspire and motivate employees to achieve company goals, bosses must have excellent social influence skills. The ability to build relationships, resolve conflict, and communicate effectively is essential for any boss leading a remote team. 

McKinsey offers a great program Executive Leadership Program conceived for senior executives aspiring to C-suite positions, honing the executive leadership skills required to drive transformational change in organizations

Through social influence, bosses can create a positive work environment where employees feel valued and respected. This can help to foster loyalty and commitment from employees, even when they’re not physically in the office. 

Technology Use, Monitoring, and Control

As a boss in a remote company, it is important to have not only a strong understanding of technology use but also the ability to monitor and control its implementation. Not being able to physically see employees at their desks requires bosses to trust that they are staying on task and utilizing technology correctly. 

This means setting guidelines for technology use, as well as finding effective ways to track progress and provide feedback

On the flip side, technology should also be utilized by bosses to stay connected with remote employees and ensure smooth communication and collaboration.

However, it is also important that these tasks are balanced with providing support and fostering trust among employees. Remote work can be just as successful as traditional office setups, but only if the boss can effectively navigate technology use and maintain control without compromising employee autonomy.

Technology Design and Programming

As technology continues to advance and remote work becomes more commonplace, it is important for bosses to have a certain skill set to successfully manage their employees from afar. 

One essential skill for remote company bosses is the ability to design and use technology effectively. In a remote setting, communication and project management often rely heavily on technology, so being able to troubleshoot technical issues and make efficient use of online tools is crucial. 

As technology continues to promote more opportunities for remote work, these skills are becoming increasingly necessary for successful bosses in the modern workplace

Additionally, having a basic understanding of programming can also be beneficial in terms of managing technology and finding innovative solutions for remote work challenges. 

Resilience, Stress Tolerance and Flexibility

As a boss in charge of a remote company, resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility are key skills necessary for success. Being able to bounce back from challenges, handle high-pressure situations, and adapt to changing circumstances is crucial in any type of leadership position, but even more so for those managing an entirely virtual team. 

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity or stressful situations. It allows individuals and communities to adapt and thrive in the face of challenges, trauma, and change

Of course, effective communication is also a must for keeping everyone on the same page remotely. As a boss of a remote company, it’s important to make sure that your team has the resources they need to stay organized and connected, and that there are clear guidelines and expectations in place. 

But ultimately, resilience, stress tolerance, and flexibility can help navigate any obstacles that may arise in running a remote company smoothly. 

Reasoning and Ideation

To be a successful boss of a remote company, it is important to be able to reason and ideate effectively. This means being able to think abstractly, solve problems creatively and come up with new ideas that can help improve the way your business runs. 

• Reasoning is the ability to think logically and make sound decisions based on evidence and facts. It is a critical thinking skill that helps individuals understand the world around them and make informed decisions.
• Ideation is the ability to generate new ideas and solve problems creatively. It involves both divergent thinking (coming up with multiple ideas) and convergent thinking (narrowing down ideas to find the best solution). 

Both reasoning and ideation are important skills for any boss, but especially those in charge of a remote company. Being able to think abstractly and come up with creative solutions can help overcome any challenges that may arise when managing a team from afar. 

Final Thoughts

As our society continues to evolve, the boss who understands how to manage and adapt to the remote workplace will only become more valuable. The skills outlined in this article are just a few of the essential abilities that every boss of a remote company should possess to be successful. 

With the right skill set, any boss can successfully navigate the challenges of managing a team from afar and help their business thrive. The sky’s the limit for forward-thinking companies willing to embrace these innovative skills!

-The Monitask Team

57