by Laura Neidig
Quotes are like bubbles.
Good remote leadership quotes quickly inspire, perhaps make us think a moment, and then the little spark of joy they give us quickly goes away. Which is why these little bursts of motivation are so popular. Their quick hit comes and goes and the encouragement they give, while similar to taking a mental 5-Hour Energy, can be short-lived. So we need to keep them coming! Here are a few good quotes to help you on your leadership journey:
- “Remote management is not radically different from managing people on-site. The biggest difference is a shift in management style from “eyeball management” (assuming workers are being productive because you physically see them at their desks working) to managing by results.” — Phil Montero
- “Outsourcing: It’s not just possible to find someone to make/code/do something for you quickly & cheaply; it is now easy. The means of production of physical goods and intellectual property is no longer based on geography but is based on talent and efficiency instead.” — Seth Godin
- “We like to give people the freedom to work where they want, safe in the knowledge that they have the drive and expertise to perform excellently, whether they at their desk or in their kitchen. Yours truly has never worked out of an office, and never will.” — Richard Branson
- “You’d be amazed how much quality collective thought can be captured using two simple tools: a voice connection and a shared screen.” ― Jason Fried, Remote: Office Not Required
- “Everyone knows that not all change is good or even necessary. But in a world that is constantly changing, it is to our advantage to learn how to adapt and enjoy something better.” ― Kenneth H. Blanchard
- “Leading remotely makes the complex role of leading even more complex. It takes new skills to get better results.” — Kevin Eikenberry
- “When you feel overwhelmed by all the technology and hassle of managing your remote team or project, and it seems like everything’s about “process” and “over-communicating,” keep something in mind. Genghis Khan ruled half the known world and never, ever, held a WebEx meeting. Not one.” — Wayne Turmel
- “Psychological research shows that the nonverbal behaviors of leaders, a nod of the head or a smiling face, are indeed key predictors of leadership influence. Some psychologists argue that more than 70% of a leader’s impact depends on factors that have nothing to do with verbal communication.” —  Mark van Vugh, Ph.D.
- “Rigorously testing the knowledge of a particular individual or team’s task at hand with a remote team in an informal way at the beginning of a project can quite literally save a project.” — Dave Davis, Redfly Marketing
- “Remember that we choose to follow leaders based on the way the leaders make us feel. Therefore we’re more likely to follow people who make us feel strong, powerful, valued, etc. Remote associates are no different. You just have to concentrate on ensuring that your remote people feel included, supported and part of a team.” — Steve Coats
- “IM and email are great for quick discussions and sharing basic information, but they are lousy for resolving conflict. For those situations, it’s better to at least hear the other person’s voice, if not see their face.”— Mary Ellen Slayter
Bottom line: Motivation, inspiration — whatever you call it — we all need some. In the challenging job of a leader, when you throw in the nuances of leading remotely we all need a little pick-me-up now and again. Quotes are perfect for just that!
About the author:  A native of New Jersey, Laura Neidig moved around the country while her husband was in the Army, settling in Indiana in 1997. Since then, she has worked in marketing and public relations in the Indianapolis community. Her most recent position was as the Marketing Director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, the largest children’s choir in the world. She is also Marketing Liaison for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon, and is the recipient of 5 Emmy nominations and 4 Emmy awards for her work.
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