As a manager you know that to deliver great results consistently you need to get the best from those that you manage. So what steps can you take to bring out the best from your team? In a typical offshore arrangement this assumes more important given the challenges with distance, culture and other elements that differ from a traditional working arrangement.

You can mitigate this to a large extent and achieve predictable results. Here are some quick tips and techniques.

1.Set crystal clear objectives

The start point of getting the best from people that you manage is to make it clear to them what they are expected to deliver. Often managers become stuck in the long list of activities that are contained in a job description. While this provides some important content, make a point of spelling out the 5 key results that you expect individuals in the team you manage to deliver.

2.Help them solve their own problems

As a busy manager it is sometimes highly tempting to solve problems for people so that you get them away from your desk as quickly as possible. The trouble is that if you always do this, people will stop thinking for themselves and just come to you for the answers. Use questions to coach people to find their own solutions to problems and challenges.

3.Take the time to praise

Few people (if any) turn up for work with the intention of doing a bad job. Yet managers often forget this and fail to recognize the efforts and achievements of their people. Make a point of praising achievement and acknowledging efforts as it will motivate.

4.Delegate whenever you can

There are few managers who could be accused of over delegating. In fact it is generally the complete opposite. Delegating does not just provide benefits to you in terms of freeing up time but also provides scope for those that you manage to take on new challenges.

5.Treat people fairly

Treat people well and chances are that the majority will go to exceptional lengths to deliver for you. A good rule of thumb to check this out is to ask whether you are treating others the way you would like to be treated in the given situation.