Leaders who show care for their remote staff's wellbeing are more likely to boost team performance

Additionally, leaders who have a vision and are able to share their long-term goals and missions clearly are more likely to improve employee effectiveness.

A collaborative study by researchers at Durham University Business School and Athens University of Economics and Business underscores the role empathy and effective communication play in enhancing the performance of remote and hybrid workers.

Spearheaded by Dr. Anders Friis Marstand, Professor Olga Epitropaki, and Associate Professor Ilias Kapoutsis, the research investigates how leadership behaviours, including structuring, consideration, and vision communication, influence task efficiency, emotional management, and performance outcomes.

Through two studies involving over 500 participants—300 working remotely and more than 200 in hybrid settings—the research provides insight into managerial strategies that could positively affect employee performance and wellbeing.

Notably, the findings suggest that managerial empathy and clear communication of objectives can reduce the psychological distance perceived by remote employees, potentially enhancing their ability to manage tasks effectively.

While empathetic leadership has been linked to improved employee wellbeing and performance, the study highlights a complex dynamic where it might also unwittingly encourage non-work-related activities during work hours, such as watching TV or browsing social media.

The research reiterates the positive impact of supportive leadership on task performance and the connection between managers and employees across remote and hybrid work environments. Amid the voices advocating a return to office-based work, citing productivity boosts, the researchers, on the other hand, propose that leadership inefficacies, rather than the home working environment, may have hindered performance in some instances.

To address these challenges, the study advocates for regular, clear communication, one-on-one and team meetings, and addressing employee wellbeing as vital strategies to bridge perceived distance and bolster collaboration.

Furthermore, they recommend investing in leadership training to better equip managers to handle remote team dynamics effectively.

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