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Is Your Hybrid Work Strategy a Mule or a Platypus?

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

Release Date: 09/23/2024

Remote Work Isn’t Over, But Leadership Must Evolve with Kevin Eikenberry

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

The Final Episode? What’s Next for Remote Work & Leadership In this special episode of Long-Distance Worklife, Wayne Turmel is joined by leadership expert Kevin Eikenberry to discuss the future of leadership, workplace flexibility, and the key insights from Kevin’s latest book, Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. They explore why leadership must evolve in response to an ever-changing work environment, how leaders can balance flexibility with consistency, and why the debate around remote and hybrid work is far from over. Plus, Wayne shares an important...

Is Giving Up Your Desk the Future of Hybrid Work?

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

The idea of giving up your personal desk—does it make you cringe or cheer? Many organizations are moving toward a hoteling model to save costs and accommodate hybrid work, but making it work smoothly is another story. In this episode, Wayne Turmel and Marisa Eikenberry tackle the challenges of hoteling, from loss of control and hygiene concerns to desk wars and office politics. Plus, they offer practical solutions for leaders to involve employees, test the model, and ensure a smoother transition. Thanks to listener Benjamin for inspiring this conversation! If your organization is...

Breaking Free from Screen Fatigue: A Guide to Digital Detox

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

Are screens taking over your life? In this episode of The Long-Distance Worklife, hosts Marisa Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel dive into the growing issue of screen fatigue and explore how remote workers can break free from digital overload. Learn about the physical and mental toll of excessive screen time, why our brains crave those dopamine hits, and how to set boundaries for healthier habits. From practical tips like setting screen-free zones to embracing old-school tools (hello, paper planners!), this conversation is packed with actionable strategies to help you reclaim balance in your...

The Remote-First Revolution: Building Borderless Teams with David Nilssen

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

[Fan Favorite] Managers Are the Heart of an Organization

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

Marisa Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel delve into the vital role of managers as the heart of an organization. Wayne introduces the analogy of a heart, explaining how managers serve as the crucial link between senior leadership and their teams. They discuss the flow of information, the importance of effective communication, and the challenges faced by middle managers in maintaining trust and authenticity. Wayne emphasizes the need for transparency, honesty, and gathering accurate information to fulfill the role effectively. He shares insights on navigating the delicate balance between supporting...

[Fan Favorite] The Spider-Man Paradox: How Remote Workers Balance Power and Responsibility

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

Marisa and Wayne discuss the Spider-Man Paradox, which is the idea that with great power comes great responsibility. They explore the responsibility that remote workers have in managing their own schedules and demonstrating their trustworthiness to their employers. They emphasize the importance of proactive communication, setting expectations, and taking ownership of one's work. They also discuss the need for remote workers to take responsibility for their own development and seek out opportunities for growth. Key Takeaways 1. Remote workers have the power to control their own schedules,...

[Fan Favorite] Managing Holidays on Remote Teams

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

During this time of year, we find that lots of offices either have employees taking time off or the office might actually shut down completely for a period of time. Wayne and Marisa discuss how this can work on remote teams, what international teams might need to be aware of, and how employees can help team members know that they're not going to be in the office. Additional Resources Want us to answer one of your questions?

Adaptability and Execution in Global Remote Teams with Enrico Menichetti

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

Wayne Turmel interviews Enrico Menichetti, head of Latin America and the Caribbean at VFS Global. They explore the intricacies of leading international remote teams and the cultural nuances of remote work in Latin America. Enrico shares his insights on self-awareness, cultural adaptability, and building trust across borders. Key Takeaways Embrace Cultural Immersion: To lead effectively across cultures, immerse yourself in the local culture and show genuine curiosity about your team's environment and experiences. Prioritize Self-Awareness: Understanding your own strengths, biases, and...

Use Your PTO! The Holiday Guide for Remote Workers

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

The holiday season is here, but are you really taking time off? In this episode of The Long-Distance Worklife, Wayne and Marisa dive into the importance of using your PTO, setting boundaries with work, and creating intentional plans to recharge during the holidays. Learn strategies for resisting the urge to check work emails, protecting your time, and collaborating with your team to ensure everyone gets the break they deserve. Plus, discover why unplugging is vital for your mental health and productivity. Whether you're struggling with holiday guilt, a recovering workaholic, or simply unsure...

C-Suite Secrets for Remote Work Success with Sara Daw

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

Wayne Turmel sits down with Sara Daw, of , to explore the nuances of remote and hybrid work from a C-Suite perspective. As a leader of a fully remote global company operating across 17 countries, Sara shares invaluable insights into overcoming challenges, fostering psychological ownership, and building meaningful relationships in distributed teams. Sara also shares her experience leading a remote-first organization and her thoughts on how trust and flexibility can transform the workplace. Don't miss her practical advice on designing team dynamics and crafting jobs that employees love. ...

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Wayne Turmel and Marisa Eikenberry dive into the hybrid work debate, comparing two very unlikely animals: mules and platypuses. Wayne introduces his humorous yet insightful analogy, explaining how a “mule” model of hybrid work is intentional and strategic, while a “platypus” model is a chaotic, unplanned combination of different parts.

They discuss the challenges many organizations face when trying to make hybrid work “work” and provide practical advice on moving from a disjointed model to one that serves both teams and the business. With the rapid evolution of remote and hybrid environments, the question becomes: is your team a well-planned mule or a hodgepodge platypus?

Key Takeaways

What hybrid work really means and why most companies are just coping rather than strategizing.
The difference between a mule and platypus approach in hybrid work.
How strategic hybrid teams balance not only where but also when work happens.
Practical steps to move from a platypus hybrid model to a mule-like, intentional approach.
The importance of understanding both asynchronous and synchronous work in a hybrid setting.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction
01:05 Hybrid Work Explained
02:30 Mules vs. Platypuses
04:20 The Platypus Problem
06:10 What Makes a Good “Mule” Hybrid Model?
08:45 Hybrid Work Strategies
10:30 Asynchronous Work and Its Benefits
12:00 Building Intentional Hybrid Teams
14:00 Steps to Transition from Platypus to Mule
16:40 Closing

Related Episodes

Additional Resources

Order The Long-Distance Leader

Perfect your remote leadership skills with the updated edition of "The Long-Distance Leader" by Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel, featuring new principles and proven strategies for today's hybrid work environments. https://longdistanceworklife.com/LDL

Your Hosts

Wayne Turmel: Master Trainer and Coach for The Kevin Eikenberry Group, co-author of The Long-Distance Leader: Rules for Remarkable Remote Leadership and The Long-Distance Teammate: Stay Engaged and Connected While Working Anywhere, and trainer of remote teams for over twenty years. Read More...

Marisa Eikenberry: Web developer, podcast editor, and technology support specialist for The Kevin Eikenberry Group. Has worked on a hybrid team for over 9 years. Read more...

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Key Takeaways

Timestamps

Related Episodes

Additional Resources

Order The Long-Distance Leader

Your Hosts

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