In this article, Laimonas shares his insights on managing remote work effectively for companies and individuals. In his view, success comes from implementing the right conditions for a remote-first approach while also ensuring ample opportunities for face-to-face interactions.
"Sure, managing everything from the same office might feel easier for us, too, but remote work is embedded in Adroiti's culture, and I doubt that will ever change. In fact, it was a part of our approach long before the COVID pandemic hit. Our team is accustomed to it, and new hires expect it as well," says Laimonas.
He explains that the dynamics of office and remote work are distinct, and companies need to understand these differences and adapt to them if they wish to implement remote work, even if it's just for one day per week.
"Remote work requires a different approach to team collaboration and leadership. To be successful, it's not enough to simply declare that employees can work from home. It requires a well-structured work environment, along with a culture and leadership that foster productivity and communication, regardless of location", says Laimonas.
Communication: The Key to Remote Work Success
A major challenge for remote teams is sharing information and collaborating on common goals, where communication becomes essential.
"Team leaders and technical managers need to place extra emphasis on communication and leadership by example to drive their team's performance. Regular check-ins are a must—team managers should spend sufficient time with their people to stay updated on their progress and engagement," Laimonas shares.
Regular meetings and open communication across all levels of the organization are critical. "I stay in close contact with the extended leadership team to keep a pulse on how they are performing in our core operations. It's not uncommon for managers to spend a lot of their time in 1-2-1. Being a manager for a remote team, you need to be committed to spend even more time in online meetings and regularly speak to people who are not necessarily your direct subordinates", Laimonas adds.
Remote work also requires strong communication within teams. "You just can't over-communicate when working remotely. Quick responses to emails, calls, and problem-solving are essential. Everyone needs to be ready to respond swiftly and keep the conversation going until resolution. That's why one of Adroiti's core values is having a sense of urgency. Without an increased sense of urgency to act, things drift into oblivion even faster in a remote setting," Laimonas emphasizes.
"You just can't over-communicate when working remotely"
Remote work can sometimes raise concerns about accountability. Laimonas acknowledges that declining work quality or slow responses might lead to doubts about whether someone is fully engaged. "The real measure isn't hours worked—it's results. Yet, if someone cannot consistently stay engaged for certain hours, the results will reflect that. If I feel that someone isn't fully engaged, I talk to them and am very direct and open about the expectations and the desired outcomes from their role; I also encourage team leads to do the same," he explains.
Remote Work Isn't for Everyone
Laimonas emphasizes that self-discipline is crucial for remote work success. Employees need to stay focused, avoid distractions, maintain a clear schedule, and balance work with rest. "Younger professionals who lack work experience, whether in the office or remotely, often find it harder to manage it all," he observes.
He also points out that career development can differ between office-based and remote work. For young professionals, starting and growing in a career may be easier in an office setting, where they can learn through observation and direct communication. Employers who hire remotely should consider whether they have the suitable structures to support less experienced specialists. "At Adroiti, we haven't yet established a comprehensive system for nurturing young talent remotely. That's why we mainly work with more seasoned professionals, which likely helps us navigate remote work challenges more smoothly," Laimonas explains.
Work preferences and the suitability of remote work often depend on the nature of the job. In Laimonas's view, Adroiti's IT field lends itself well to remote work.
"We can't always stick to a strict 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. schedule. Sometimes, we need to address urgent issues late at night, and workloads fluctuate. The flexibility to handle personal tasks—like taking kids somewhere—makes remote work ideal for some. You can complete one task early in the morning and another later in the evening," Laimonas explains, highlighting the adaptability that IT work often requires.
Despite the advantages of remote work, Laimonas believes that mixing office time and in-person meetings brings significant value, even for well-organized remote teams. Face-to-face interactions enhance team cohesion, improve the internal company atmosphere, foster strong social connections, and help employees understand each other's personal circumstances, which can impact work performance.
Adroiti encourages its distributed teams to get together for in-person meetings as often as possible, to ensure team members can connect, build relationships, and strengthen their interpersonal bonds. "At the same time, Adroiti teams decide independently how often or regularly to meet face-to-face. I've observed that teams frequently choose to prioritize in-person time over remote work when addressing complex problems that require higher levels of collaboration."
"I also encourage everyone in a remote-first workspace to find the right balance between in-office and remote work. The right mix is one that works well for you personally and aligns with your long-term professional goals."
"So you don't end up dozing off on that couch," Laimonas adds with a smile.