Virtual workplace | Survey reveals the dramatic impact of remote people management

In January 2021, amidst the third UK national lockdown, we conducted research showing that an overwhelming 95% of participants consider remote management slightly or entirely different from face-to-face management.

As the workplace becomes accustomed to a virtual setting, the results demonstrate that in-person interactions with team members are being replaced by a remote management style which places greater emphasis on flexibility, communication, trust and overall collaboration.

Remote vs face-to-face management style

The survey revealed that 55% of respondents reported spending more, or much more time on people management activities, with only 16% reporting they spend less. A ‘collaborative’ approach was considered to be the most effective management style within a remote environment, where clear objectives are discussed and set together. Unsurprisingly, a ‘delegative’, hands-off style was voted the least effective. This explains the additional time spent managing people as a collaborative approach is much more time-consuming. Yet, it also emphasizes the importance of providing clear communication and then employing trust to allow homeworking colleagues to carry out a task effectively, and with greater autonomy. For more on the topic of building trust in the workplace, take a listen to the HR Uprising podcast.