As remote work becomes the standard for many organisations, leaders face the challenge of fostering productivity, accountability, and connection within a virtual environment. Jeanelle Teves, President of Bugaboo, has successfully navigated these complexities while balancing her role as a mother and leader of a global remote team. Her journey offers invaluable lessons for leaders and managers looking to maximise the potential of their remote teams.

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In our Misbehave Podcast episode, The Leadership Superpowers Behind A High Flying Career, we delve into building a collaboration-centric culture in a fully remote team with Jeanelle. Here are some essential insights drawn from our conversation:

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Embrace Clear and Unapologetic Ambition – Set a Strong Vision

In any remote work environment, the clarity of vision and goals is paramount. Without daily in-person reminders, teams must be equipped to navigate toward shared objectives independently. Unapologetic ambition is essential not only for individual success but also for steering teams toward a common purpose.

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As a leader, you must ensure that your vision is communicated clearly and consistently. In a remote setting, where team members may feel isolated from the broader organisational goals, reaffirming the overarching purpose and the role each team member plays in achieving it becomes your responsibility. Individuals are motivated differently based on their behavioural preferences; for instance, some may thrive on external validation, while others are motivated by internal satisfaction or achievement. Understanding these distinctions allows leaders to tailor their messaging in a way that resonates with each team member.

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“If it’s true to you, and if it is how you imagine your life ending up, fully lean into that and it doesn’t really matter what other people think,” says Jeanelle, reflecting on the importance of staying committed to your goals amidst distractions.

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Intentional Communication is Key to Remote Success

Remote work heavily relies on effective communication from leaders. Without the usual office interactions, every meeting, email, or message must serve a specific purpose. Jeanelle highlights the importance of intentionality in communication, focusing on efficiency and respecting people’s time.

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In a remote team, overwhelming members with constant video calls or lengthy meetings can lead to burnout. Instead, schedule meetings only when necessary, ensuring they are productive and goal-oriented. Jeanelle’s approach centres on structuring time carefully, which has helped Bugaboo’s remote team thrive.

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To ensure effective communication, it’s vital to recognise that individuals receive information differently based on their behavioural strengths. Some may prefer detailed analyses and logical reasoning, while others respond better to visual aids or storytelling. Tailoring your communication style to these preferences can foster a more inclusive environment, enabling every team member to engage fully.

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Be selective with your meetings and ensure they are purposeful. Employ asynchronous communication (e.g., emails or chat) where possible to provide team members with the flexibility to manage their time effectively.

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“I have this constant question that I’m asking myself, which is, is this respecting people’s time?” says Jeanelle of her benchmark on communication.

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Balance Flexibility with Accountability

Remote work offers employees essential flexibility, especially for those juggling personal commitments like childcare. However, flexibility without accountability can lead to dips in performance and engagement. Jeanelle’s leadership model strikes a balance by offering team members autonomy while setting clear expectations for results.

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In her remote leadership role, Jeanelle maintains high performance standards while considering the personal challenges her team may encounter. By fostering a culture of trust, she allows her team members to manage their personal lives without sacrificing accountability.

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Recognising that individuals have different working preferences based on their behavioural strengths is crucial. For example, some may excel in structured environments with set deadlines, while others thrive in flexible situations that allow for creativity and innovation. By understanding these preferences, leaders can provide the right support and frameworks to ensure all team members can perform at their best.

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As a leader, offer flexibility but establish a clear framework for accountability. Ensure your team understands performance expectations, sets deadlines, and is equipped with the tools to deliver results, even when working independently.

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“I’m super flexible, but also with really high accountability. If people have things going on in their personal life, I will meet them there,” Jeanelle shares, emphasising the balance leaders must strike.

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Cultivate a Positive Team Culture – Even Remotely

One of the significant challenges of remote working is maintaining a strong sense of team culture. Without spontaneous interactions in an office setting, team members may feel disconnected or disengaged. Jeanelle stresses the importance of building connections through regular touchpoints and in-person team gatherings when feasible.

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While remote work provides more flexibility, human connection remains vital. Jeanelle promotes remote team-building activities and informal “coffee moments” where team members can share and connect outside of project work. This helps strengthen the bonds that can often fade in virtual workspaces.

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Prioritise team culture through regular social interaction. Whether through virtual coffee breaks, team-building exercises, or in-person retreats, cultivating a sense of community in a remote setting is crucial for employee engagement and long-term success.

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Gratitude and Mindset are Powerful Leadership Tools

Jeanelle’s personal journey taught her the power of gratitude, a tool just as relevant in a remote leadership context. Gratitude can combat the challenges of remote work, such as loneliness and stress. As a leader, modelling gratitude and a positive mindset can help teams stay motivated, especially during tough times.

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For Jeanelle, adopting a gratitude practice transformed her outlook, allowing her to focus on what was working well rather than the obstacles. This positivity trickled down to her team, creating an atmosphere of support and encouragement.

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Encourage a culture of gratitude within your team. This can be as simple as acknowledging individual achievements or starting meetings by celebrating wins. Positivity and gratitude are contagious, contributing to a more resilient, focused team.

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“I made the decision to focus on what is going well in my life, even if it’s really small, and write that down,” Jeanelle reflects, a habit that could enhance any leader’s mindset.

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A Remote Leadership Blueprint

The remote work revolution has transformed how businesses operate, and leaders must adapt to these shifts. Jeanelle Teves offers a valuable blueprint for any leader managing remote teams. By embracing ambition, communicating intentionally, balancing flexibility with accountability, and nurturing team culture, leaders can guide their teams to success in a virtual world. Furthermore, modelling gratitude and positivity can help create a resilient, high-performing team.

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For leaders striving to harness the potential of remote work, Jeanelle’s story serves as both an inspiration and a guide to what’s possible when ambition is paired with thoughtful leadership.

Use this summarised checklist to implement Jeanelle’s lessons into how you lead your remote team: 

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Set a Clear and Ambitious Vision

• Ensure your vision is communicated consistently and clearly.
• Tailor your messaging to resonate with individual team members’ behavioural preferences.
• Reinforce the team’s purpose and individual contributions regularly.

Practice Intentional Communication

• Be selective with meetings; ensure they are purposeful and respect your team’s time.
• Use asynchronous communication when possible to allow for flexibility.
• Adapt your communication style to align with team members’ strengths (e.g., logical analysis, visual aids, or storytelling).

Balance Flexibility with Accountability

• Offer flexibility in schedules, but maintain high standards of accountability.
• Set clear performance expectations and deadlines.
• Provide support based on team members’ preferred working environments (structured or flexible).

Foster a Positive Team Culture Remotely

• Schedule regular virtual social interactions, such as “coffee moments” or team-building activities.
• Plan occasional in-person gatherings if feasible to strengthen bonds.
• Prioritise creating a sense of community and connection within the team.

Cultivate Gratitude and a Positive Mindset

• Lead by example: practise gratitude regularly and encourage a positive mindset within the team.
• Celebrate small wins and individual achievements during meetings.
• Foster a resilient, supportive environment by focusing on what’s going well.

If you want to find out more about your team's behavioural preferences, and learn how to manage for high performance whether working remotely or in the office, our Perform Essential and Essential+ plans equip you with the behavioural insight to know exactly how to manage each and every team member for maximum impact. 

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Find out more here.

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