How to Lead a Team You Can’t See: Managing Remote Developers Like a Pro 

Remote teams are extremely common. At Resolve Beyond, working with developers across different locations is just part of the daily rhythm. But leading a team you can’t physically see? That’s where things get fun (and occasionally chaotic). 

What I have learned since coming in to this business is that managing remote developers isn’t about lurking in the background, but about trust, communication, and creating a structure that empowers people to do their best work. I was new to this, I had never had a remote team before, and at first, I struggled. I didn’t know how to communicate with them best and when to contact them, how to schedule their work, and not worry that they weren’t working as best they could.  

I can imagine there is a few people out there are feeling the same way, so here’s how I keep our remote team aligned, motivated, and delivering top-notch work—while keeping my sanity intact. 

Communicate Clearly (Because Mind-Reading Isn’t Real) 

When your team is scattered across different locations (and sometimes time zones), clear communication is your best weapon against confusion. Ambiguity is how projects turn into disasters. 

Be Specific: Saying “Work on (Project Name) today” is a fast track to chaos. Be crystal clear—what tasks need doing, when are they due, and how you’ll track progress. 

Over-Communicate (Just a Bit): I’m not talking about hourly check-ins, but projects can fail if the communication isn’t right. Sometimes, leaving people to get on with things is the worst thing to do, especially when there is a deadline. Keeping it in the teams minds that check ins are happening will keep them focused.  

Document Everything: If it isn’t written down, did it even happen? Meeting notes, project scopes—keep it all in one place so no one’s hunting for lost instructions. 

Trust Your Team (But Keep Structure in Place) 

Remote work thrives on trust, but it’s important to balance that with structure. If you’ve hired capable people, give them the space to do their best work while maintaining clear expectations. 

Trust Their Expertise: Your team was hired for their skills and experience, so trust them to make the right decisions. Encourage independent thinking and problem-solving, knowing that they are capable of delivering great results, all while keeping communication open.  

Provide Clear Ownership: Let your team take responsibility for their tasks. While micromanagement may occasionally be necessary, it’s important to strike a balance so that everyone feels empowered rather than controlled. 

Use the Right Tools (And Not Too Many) 

The right tools can make remote work feel seamless—or they can bury your team under a mountain of pings. At one point, we were using nearly 4 different ways of communicating and task management, but we simplified it. Use what works and ditch the rest. 

Project Management: We use Jira to track tasks. It gives you control over scheduling, an oversight on what everyone is working on, and a central place for all development projects and documents. 

Communication: We use Teams for everything. No one wants to chat on Teams and then jump on a Zoom call, its much better having everything in one place. 

Foster Connection (Because Robots Are No Fun) 

Remote doesn’t mean disconnected. If your team only talks about work, you’re missing out on the magic of human connection. 

Casual Check-Ins: Try to know as much about your remote team as you would the people sitting in the office with you. Check in on family, events, holidays, anything you would usually chat about.  

Celebrate: Finished a tricky project? Shout it out! It’s someone’s birthday? Make sure to remember. I find it’s the little things that keep us connected.  

Set Boundaries (But Be Considerate) 

While working in different locations offers its own challenges, maintaining clear boundaries is key to keeping the team focused and productive. 

Time Zones Matter: Scheduling meetings across multiple time zones can be tricky. Be mindful of the differences and find a time that accommodates as many team members as possible, or at least works reasonably well for everyone. 

Acknowledge Local Work Culture: Understand that different countries may have varying work cultures and norms. Be mindful of when it’s appropriate to reach out and respect local schedules and practices to avoid overwhelming your team. 

Final Thoughts 

Leading a remote team isn’t about control—it’s about building trust, fostering communication, and keeping the whole thing running without turning into a stressed-out mess. 

At Resolve Beyond, we know that great work happens when people feel empowered and connected. With the right mix of humour, structure, and common sense, managing a team you can’t see becomes less of a mystery and more of a well-oiled machine.