5 Tips to Be an Effective Leader in Your Team of Freelancers

However, this phenomenon poses a couple of challenges to managers accustomed to the typical superior-subordinate relationship of traditional work settings.

In this blog post, we will discuss how you can successfully overcome the difficulties of leading your own team of freelancers.

1. Bolster security protocols

Because freelancers technically can work from anywhere they please, they don’t have the same level of protection of more controlled office networks (e.g., firewalls). It’s therefore critical to consider measures that will increase security for your remote employees. One of the most effective ways to do this is to adopt a multi-layered approach that includes password management, two-factor/multi-factor authentication (2FA), and other access control measures. These systems add protection by controlling who has access to specific data or files and implementing restrictions on particular tasks that can be done by logged users. You can also provide ongoing security training and regular updates for your team. This will ensure that they understand the importance of adhering to security protocols and staying up to date with the latest technology trends. In addition, regular reminders and refreshers can help keep your team informed about current best practices in data security. These will enable them to better protect their own accounts and those of their clients or employers.

2. Enhance manager engagement

The adage "Out of sight, out of mind" may be true for many freelancers. It's therefore imperative for executives and leaders to find ways to succeed in manager engagement.

You can start by setting clear expectations from the get-go. This means sharing what needs to be accomplished, when it needs to be done, and how you expect it to be presented. Additionally, having open and frequent communication is key for ensuring everyone is on the same page throughout the project. A great way to stay up-to-date on progress is to set up weekly check-ins with the team. These meetings can also provide ample space for any questions or concerns.

Additionally, feedback should be given promptly and regularly to ensure quality work from everyone involved. Finally, always remember to express appreciation for your team's hard work. This will go a long way in motivating your freelancers to deliver excellent results.

3. Reduce burnout

To effectively prevent your team of freelancers from running out of steam, it's essential to set boundaries from the beginning. Set realistic deadlines to give them enough time to finish their tasks. Make sure that everyone understands the project's scope and goals in advance so that they can focus on the task at hand. This will help reduce burnout by avoiding unnecessary time and effort spent going back and forth on points that could have been easily cleared up from the beginning.

It's also strategic to offer appropriate compensation for the work completed, as freelancers are often paid less than regular employees. This will also keep them loyal and available because they won't feel pressured to search for other ways to pay their bills.

Encourage your team members to take breaks throughout the day and allow them time off when necessary. Equip them with the resources required to complete their tasks, such as access to software and tools that can help them get the job done as efficiently and effectively as possible. In addition, take time each day to check in with your freelancers to see how they are doing and if there is anything that needs additional support or attention.

4. Leverage project management tools

Project management tools are invaluable resources for freelancers working with multiple clients. These provide a central platform for task management, resource scheduling, budgeting and communication. This way, both managers and freelancers can consistently keep track of deadlines, assign and reassign tasks as necessary, and set milestones for every stage of their project. In addition, they can use these tools to stay organized and ensure everyone is working together to meet client expectations.

5. Simplify communication

With all the advancements in technology, there’s simply no excuse to keep your communication flow outdated and complicated. You can create shared documents on platforms like Google Drive or Dropbox, deploy group messaging apps like Slack or Discord, and schedule video calls through services like Zoom. These digital tools will help keep everyone connected, organized and updated on new tasks or developments.

Provide them with all the necessary information to complete their tasks, such as goals and objectives, deadlines, resources, and any feedback you have. Consider collating guidelines in a manual so they can easily refer to it. Additionally, use a cloud-based platform to store all information related to the project and allow freelancers to share documents easily.

All these steps can help avoid the toing and froing that typically comes with muddled processes.

The bottom line

Leading a team of independent contractors need not be as tricky nor as "perilous" as some make it out to be. However, being an effective manager of freelancers doesn't happen by accident. Equipping them with the necessary tools, simplifying processes and creating opportunities to foster collaboration are just some of the ways to help ensure productivity and team morale. Apply the tips we shared with you today and discover how these can take you from zero to hero before your team of freelancers.