Expert Blog: Remote work... a Leadership Test
A policeman once told me something in passing that’s shaped how I manage people - especially when they’re working from home. The conversation was years ago, but the 2025 election results brought it flooding back.
That backflip - where the opposition reversed its stance on public servants working from home – that may have been one of the linchpins behind the landslide result we saw last Saturday.
Because the backflip wasn’t just about policy.
It was a symbol of trust. Or lack of it.
So let’s go back to what the policeman said, and what it means in the context of 2025-style leadership.
“You can’t police intent. You can only police behaviour.”
At the time, he was talking about law enforcement. But it applies perfectly to leadership - especially in hybrid or remote teams. Because here’s the truth of what happens to most managers when their team work from home. The stress they feel isn’t about work. It’s about control.
We worry someone’s not pulling their weight. That they’re watching Netflix, folding laundry, taking longer lunches, or just gaming the system. So we try to control the intent by micromanaging time, tracking keystrokes, and creating elaborate rules to keep things “fair.”
“She gets two days at home, so he should too. But they can’t because they’re front-facing - and now we’ve opened a can of worms…” And that gets messy. Fast.
And when teams are already worn down by day-to-day pressures, addressing the culture wars feels too hard. So the call goes out: “Everyone back to the office.”
But that’s not easier.
It’s just familiar.
And it gives us a false sense of control.
We can walk past desks, overhear calls, see who’s at lunch — so we feel in control, in charge.
But when we can’t see? We start storytelling:
“Why hasn’t she replied?”
“Why is his Teams status ‘Away’?”
“Bet they’re not working.”
That mindset, the second-guessing, the suspicion - it drains more than just energy. It kills productivity, focus and trust.
So what if - stay with me - instead of trying to see everything…You focused on measuring the right things?
What if you stopped asking, “Are they working hard enough?” And started asking, “Are they getting the right things done?”
Because modern workplaces aren’t built on presence. They’re built on outcomes.
Remote work isn’t a threat. It’s a test. Of your systems. Your expectations. Your leadership.
Your appetite for quality led change.
And if you’re still relying on line of sight to feel confident your team is working?
That’s not a staff problem.
That’s a management opportunity.
And one I can help with; for you, one of your managers, of your entire team. Let’s talk.
hello@libbyo.com.au
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