As someone who's managed numerous teams of creatives both in-person and remote, I know the challenge of keeping remote artists on task. It can be easy to let deadlines slip, make miscalculations about the satisfaction of team members, or end up offering far too much or too little direction. You may be lucky enough to not find yourself in these situations, but I speak from first-hand experience. However, with the right tools and strategies in place, I've found it is possible to lead and collaborate effectively with your creative team, even when working remotely.

First and foremost, I should leave a disclaimer that work culture has changed drastically since the Covid-19 pandemic, and I don't think any of us have all the answers yet regarding remote work. However, since going fully remote in 2020, I've found that the linchpin of remote work success is clear communication. Invest in a project management tool that allows for easy task assignment and progress tracking. This can include tools such as Notion, Monday, or Asana, which happen to be my favorites, in that order. Ensure everyone on the team knows how to use the tool, and encourage them to keep each other accountable for using the platform. The hardest fight is the, "Did you put that on Notion?" conversation, which you'll find yourself having a lot of. The proud moment comes when other team members start making the call-out for you.

The second key to communication is setting up regular video meetings, either daily or weekly, to check in with team members and discuss any challenges or issues that may have arisen. This helps to maintain a sense of connection and camaraderie, even when working remotely. It also gives you a touchpoint to reinforce company culture and ensure the vision is properly aligned with the project. As a manager, we should be doing everything in our power to ensure their professional success. This means doing your best to schedule these calls at times that work well for the professional. This can be especially important when working with internationally based team members. Nobody wants to spend their evening on a call with their manager, and it won't make for a productive meeting. You'll get the best meeting output working on their schedule, even if it means slightly sacrificing yours.

To foster collaboration and creativity, I find it helpful to set up virtual team brainstorming sessions. Creatives are fun people, and these should be times everyone looks forward to. Tools like Miro can allow team members to contribute ideas and feedback in real time, which in turn empowers them. I'm a firm believer that good ideas can come from anywhere, and nothing is off the debate table in a brainstorming session. Encourage your team to challenge each other in these sessions, and you'll be surprised by the output. The collision of many ideas is what produces the best outcome. As managers, it's our job to facilitate these conversations, not command them. It's after these team sessions that projects can be assigned and expectations set. Set clear deadlines and expectations for deliverables. This will help to keep the team focused and on track, and also ensure that everyone is aware of what needs to be done and when.

Lastly, from personal experience, I find that it is important to give your team members the flexibility to work in the way that suits them best. Creative people have funny quarks, and we need to understand that their individualism is what makes them great creators. Some team members may be more productive working in the early morning, while others may work better at night. It is important to be understanding and accommodating of different working hours and styles. We should empower them to be the best creators they can be, as long as the work is getting done and deadlines are met.

Managing remote creative teams can be challenging, but by implementing clear communication, regular meetings, virtual brainstorming, and setting clear deadlines, you can successfully lead and collaborate with your team. Remember to be understanding of creative differences and flexible with different working hours and styles. I live by the virtual "open office" policy, letting my team members know that I'm here to assist them to do their best work. With the right tools and strategies in place, you can continue to drive creativity and success within your team around the world.