How to be a great remote team manager? - TimeDive

Remote work is the new normal.

But managing a remote team? That’s still something a lot of people are figuring out. If you're leading a distributed team and wondering, "Am I doing this right?", you're not alone.

I remember when our founder first started managing remotely. It felt weird for everyone to not being able to just lean over someone’s desk or read body language in a meeting.

How do I know if people are actually working?

Are they feeling connected?

Am I giving them enough support?

These questions kept hovering in the mind. The good news? You can be an amazing remote manager - you just need a few mindset shifts and some helpful systems in place.

Here are some tried-and-true tips to help you lead a remote team with confidence and empathy.

1. Prioritize trust over control

Micromanaging doesn’t work in the office and it definitely doesn’t work remotely. Be crystal clear about:

• What needs to be done
• Who’s responsible
• What “done” actually looks like
• When it’s due

Pro tip: Set clear goals and let your team choose how to get there. It gives them autonomy and shows you trust them.

2. Overcommunicate (but not in a spammy way)

Remote teams thrive on communication, but it needs to be intentional.

Try this:

• Async updates (recorded Looms, Slack check-ins)
• Shared task boards with comments
• Scheduled deep work hours

📌 Personal note: At TimeDive, we replaced one weekly call with a shared doc where we each drop updates by Tuesday morning.

And don’t forget to ask: "How are you doing, really?" People need space to talk beyond just work.

3. Make collaboration easy

Timezones, schedules, and distractions can all get in the way of teamwork.

A great manager creates systems and processes that make collaboration seamless.

Use tools your team actually enjoys using - whether it's Notion, TimeDive, or Loom. Keep processes light and flexible.

No one wants to spend an hour updating a spreadsheet just to prove they worked.

4. Recognize and celebrate wins (big & small)

Remote workers often miss out on the spontaneous high-fives and team lunches. As a manager, it’s your job to make recognition intentional.

• Call out great work in meetings.
• Drop kudos in Slack.
• Send a voice note or even a gift card now and then.

It doesn’t have to be fancy - just thoughtful.

5. Make room for real connection

You don’t need forced fun, but you do need some human moments. Try:

• A rotating "coffee pairing" system where two teammates chat for 15 mins a week
• Monthly non-work video calls (theme: pet intros, “what I’m watching,” travel dreams)
• A dedicated “wins + shoutouts” Slack channel
• Start meetings with a casual check-in.

You can schedule fun engaging activities and get that spark in your team.

Little effort here goes a long way in building team morale.

6. Use data to manage the workload

Tracking time and productivity isn’t about spying or being snoopy- it’s about spotting patterns, preventing burnout, and seeing what helps your team thrive.

Look at time logs to see if someone’s overloaded. Notice who’s stuck on tasks. Ask why something took longer than expected instead of jumping to conclusions.

That’s honestly why we built TimeDive . We were tired of scattered tools, clunky spreadsheets, and zero visibility.

With TimeDive, you can see what your team’s working on in real time, assign tasks, and track hours without turning into Big Brother.

7. Keep learning (and listening)

The best managers are constantly evolving.

Ask for feedback. Be open to changing your approach or processes.

Read, listen to podcasts, join communities - whatever helps you grow as a leader.

And don’t be afraid to say, "I’m still figuring this out too."

TL;DR: Remote Managers Don’t Need to Do More—Just Lead Better

Being a great remote team manager isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about showing up with empathy, clarity, and a genuine desire to help your team succeed.

And hey! if you’re already reading this, you’re on the right path.

Start small. Focus on outcomes. Communicate like a human. And if you need a little help seeing the bigger picture while keeping track of the day-to-day, tools like TimeDive are here to back you up.

👀 Ready to make remote work work?

Check out TimeDive and give your team (and your brain) some breathing room.