Revive the Gatekeeper role for the remote workforce! Within group dynamics, the “gatekeeper” denotes individuals responsible for regulating information flow and group participation. Over the years, this role has been referred to as the facilitator or moderator. No matter what we call it, We believe that this pivotal role is essential to ensure remote employees remain tethered to the organization and maintain a strong bond with their colleagues.
In a modern workplace where employees are distributed across various working models—onsite, hybrid, and remote—a Gatekeeper can serve as a critical bridge to ensure cohesiveness and productivity. By leveraging technology, fostering inclusivity, and establishing consistent communication channels, the Gatekeeper role for a remote workforce can facilitate an environment where all feel connected and engaged, irrespective of their physical work location.
In this article, we will begin exploring how the gatekeeper can facilitate or inhibit both the quality and quantity of interactions among remote team members. We will explore ways the role can be both beneficial and problematic, and delve into some basic Gatekeeper skills that are important to develop when working with remote, hybrid, and on-site employees. To learn more about strategies to help Gatekeepers support a remote team, check out our article: Gatekeepers for the win! Strategies for Staying Remote
Positive Aspects of the Gatekeeper
Here is a breakdown of how gatekeeper skills impact group dynamics, which can be translated as remote worker dynamics in the modern workplace, in a beneficial way.
Inclusion
Gatekeepers can make sure that all voices are heard, especially those that may be marginalized or quieter. They invite less vocal members to share their views, ensuring a more democratic discussion.
Focusing the Discussion
A gatekeeper can guide the conversation back to the main topic if it veers off course, thereby maintaining the group’s focus and efficiency.
Regulating Participation
By controlling who speaks, when, and for how long, gatekeepers can prevent monopolization of the discussion by a few vocal individuals, thus improving the quality of group decision-making.
Conflict Resolution
Skilled gatekeepers can intervene in conflicts, redirecting the energy toward constructive solutions and maintaining a healthy group dynamic.
Information Management
Gatekeepers can summarize points, seek clarification, and point out when new information may be necessary for informed decision-making.
Negative Aspects of the Gatekeeper
Just as there are two sides of a coin, there are also two sides to the role of Gatekeeper. Following are some ways an untrained Gatekeeper could negatively impact team dynamics and communication channels in a distributed workforce.
Exclusion
If not managed well, gatekeeping can result in the exclusion of certain voices, thereby negating the benefits of group interaction and shared decision-making.
Power Imbalance
The gatekeeper role can create or exacerbate a power imbalance within the group, potentially leading to an unhealthy dynamic.
Slowing Down Processes
Overzealous gatekeeping can make group processes bureaucratic, requiring approval or input from the gatekeeper before any action can be taken.
Stifling Innovation
A gatekeeper who is too rigid or controlling can stifle creativity and discourage out-of-the-box thinking.
Selective Information
A gatekeeper can manipulate what information is deemed relevant, important, or even true, which can lead to poor decision-making.
For more on the negative impacts to remote workers, read our article: Invisible Workforce: Why Your Remote Employees Feel Left Out
Basic Skills for Effective Gatekeeping
Developing a specialized skill set is crucial for remote Gatekeepers to effectively bridge the gap between onsite, hybrid, and remote employees. Click each skill category below to explore important skill sets that would be particularly beneficial for the Gatekeeper to begin developing:
The ability to guide conversations without imposing one’s own opinions is crucial for fair gatekeeping.
Advanced Mediation
The ability to resolve disputes between employees in different work models.
Emotional Intelligence
Being able to read and interpret emotional signals, even in a digital format, to identify conflicts before they escalate.
Cultural Competence
Understanding and respecting the diverse backgrounds of team members.
Effective gatekeepers are good listeners and are attuned to nonverbal cues.
Multi-Channel Proficiency
Mastery over various communication tools, from video conferencing to team management software.
Accessible Design
The skill to create or adapt platforms, meetings, and content to be accessible for everyone.
Clarity and Conciseness
The ability to convey complex ideas simply, clearly, and briefly.
Nonverbal Cues
Understanding the importance of non-verbal communication, especially when limited by virtual interactions.
Though this could be classified as part of “communication” we thought Active Listening is such a vital skill for gatekeepers it deserved its own category! Gatekeepers will effectively utilize active listening by using:
Reflective Statements
Repeating back what has been said can demonstrate that the speaker’s points are being carefully considered.
Making Speaker Feel Understood
The quickest way to deflate tense emotions is to make the speaker feel understood. Active listening is crucial to ensure you, the Gatekeeper, have understood the message and satisfied the speaker.
Open-Ended Questions
Asking questions that require more than a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer can encourage deeper conversation and reveal underlying issues or ideas.
Effective gatekeepers know when to move on to a new topic and when more discussion is needed.
Prioritization
Knowing how to rank tasks in order of importance for oneself and team members.
Agenda Setting
The ability to set realistic meeting agendas that respect the differing time zones and schedules of a diverse team.
Timeboxing
Allocating specific time slots for tasks, discussions, and breaks during meetings.
The ability to work with remote, hybrid, and on-site staff to form authentic connections is crucial.
Remote Ice-Breakers
Initiating activities that help team members become comfortable in a virtual environment.
Morale Monitoring
Keeping an eye on team morale and addressing issues before they become problems.
Creativity in Engagement
Coming up with innovative ways to engage a team that can’t interact in traditional ways due to remote work.
Encouraging Participation
Actively bringing quieter or marginalized voices into discussions.
The effective use of technology can impede or enhance remote connections and collaboration opportunities. The Gatekeeper role should be comfortable with the following:
Tech Troubleshooting
Basic skills to resolve common technical issues that might arise during virtual meetings.
Software Mastery
Being proficient in software that helps manage projects, facilitate communication, or handle data securely. This can start with the willingness to look things up to solve issues!
Cybersecurity Basics
Understanding the importance of secure communications and how to enforce company policies around it.communications and how to enforce company policies around it.
Everyone thinks they are good at this, but so few actually are skilled at both giving and receiving quality feedback. Following are some specific skills to develop to be an effective gatekeeper:
360-Degree Feedback
Skilled in both giving and facilitating constructive feedback from multiple sources.
Active Listening
The ability to listen to feedback actively, ask clarifying questions, and implement changes based on it.
Feedback Loop Maintenance
Regularly updating feedback channels and encouraging employees to use them.
Being flexible to a dynamic remote working environment and helping others navigate it is important.
Change Management
The ability to guide a team through changes in work models, technology, or company strategy.
Quick Learning
Easily picking up new skills or technologies as they become relevant.
Resourcefulness
Finding quick and effective solutions to unexpected challenges.unexpected challenges.
Another important skill gatekeepers must master is being genuine and includes the ability employ:
Openness
Willingly sharing information and updates to keep everyone in the loop.
Trust Building
Establishing and maintaining trust between management and team members.
Confidentiality
Knowing what information should be kept private and ensuring that it remains so.
By developing these skill sets, a remote Gatekeeper can start to become a pivotal figure in creating a harmonious and productive work environment, regardless of where team members are located.
We provide training for leaders in the remote workplace setting to improve their ability to serve as the Gatekeeper! Learn more about our Remote Leader Certification.
Final thoughts
Remote work has made the role of Gatekeepers indispensable in contemporary organizations. In a dispersed workforce, the task of maintaining cohesion, productivity, and positive group dynamics becomes complex and challenging.
Gatekeeper skills in remote worker and team dynamics are a double-edged sword. They can either facilitate effective collaboration and decision-making, or they can become a source of power imbalance and exclusion. Effective gatekeepers balance collaboration with the need for focus and direction, always aiming to enhance the group’s overall function.
In a modern workplace where employees are distributed across various working models—onsite, hybrid, and remote—a Gatekeeper can serve as a critical bridge to ensure cohesiveness and productivity. By leveraging technology, fostering inclusivity, establishing consistent communication channels and developing other important skill sets, the Gatekeeper can facilitate an environment where all feel connected and engaged, irrespective of their physical work location.
Level up your skills for supporting a remote workforce by getting certified through WorkForceRemote.org’s certification tracks with the Remote Professional Certification and our Remote Coach Certification.
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