IIP139 Beyond Automation: How AI Can Enhance (Not Replace) Distributed Workforces
Release Date: 06/13/2025
IIP151 The Farewell Episode
Inclusion in Progress
This is the final episode of Inclusion in Progress. As we wrap up this show after six years, we want to thank you for all of your support.
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IIP150 Distributed Work Models: Balancing Structure and Freedom Using Core Hours
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how to create structure for your distributed team — without taking away their flexibility? We often hear leaders ask how to balance business needs with employees’ desire for autonomy. That’s where Core Hours with Flexibility comes in: a distributed work model that allows everyone to work when they’re at their best, while still ensuring there’s dedicated time each day for real-time collaboration. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid...
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IIP149 Distributed Work Models: What Digital Nomads Bring to the Remote Revolution
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how some companies manage to attract top global talent while giving employees full freedom to work from anywhere? In 2025, over 35 million people now identify themselves as digital nomads. So what if your organization was able to tap into the power of a workforce that truly works — and comes from — anywhere? Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams: The Digital Nomad-Friendly Model — used by companies like Doist. We cover: How...
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IIP148 Distributed Work Models: Trust, Outcomes & the Leadership Shift of Results-Only Work
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered if your organization could deliver better results while giving people more freedom? The Results-Only Work Environment (ROWE) from CultureRx asks leaders to shift the focus from time and location to measurable outcomes — but the change is as much cultural as it is operational. In this episode we cover: What ROWE looks like in practice and where it originated The leadership and measurement changes required to make results-first work The risks and common pitfalls — and how to design safeguards to protect collaboration and fairness We’ll be breaking down...
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IIP147 Distributed Work Models: Unlocking A Global & Multicultural Workforce
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how you can support a truly global, culturally diverse team — without losing alignment or connection? Many companies offer work-from-anywhere policies, but few have mastered how to build inclusive, cross-border collaboration into their strategy. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams: The Work-From-Anywhere + Cross-Cultural Hybrid Model — inspired by companies like Spotify. We cover: How to balance location flexibility with cultural...
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IIP146 Distributed Work Models: Succession Planning & Building Agile Leaders
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how you can create more agile, well-rounded leaders across your organization — without sacrificing flexibility or work-life balance? We often talk about developing talent and succession planning as if they’re separate from our distributed work strategy. But if you’re not intentional about how career growth happens across remote and hybrid setups, you risk losing great talent to stagnation or burnout. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with global teams:...
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IIP145 Distributed Work Models: How Regional Hubs Strengthen Your Hybrid Work Model
Inclusion in Progress
Have you ever wondered how to preserve the freedom and focus of remote work — without losing the connection and collaboration that comes from being together in person? Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams. This episode breaks down the Fully-Remote with Regional Hubs — which allows global leaders like you to provide flexibility without sacrificing belonging and in-person connection. We cover: How to foster in-person collaboration — without...
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IIP144 Distributed Work Models: When The Office Is An Option, Not A Mandate
Inclusion in Progress
In the span of a few short years, our understanding of how, when, and where work happens has shifted in ways that once seemed impossible. During this time, people were able to experiment with their personal work styles and preferences — what allows them to be more productive and efficient — and found that they could be just as effective outside of the office. But what if physical office spaces transformed into creative and collaborative hubs instead of just mandatory checkpoints for your teams? On this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed...
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IIP143 Distributed Work Models: Virtual-First Doesn’t Mean Office-Free — A Case for Planned In-Office Days
Inclusion in Progress
The term “hybrid work” brings up different things for different people and organizations. But even we at Inclusion in Progress can agree: hybrid work in its current iteration is fundamentally broken because it still focuses so heavily on where work gets done — rather than how to make it work better — no matter where people are physically located. Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’re diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we’ve identified while working with remote and hybrid teams. This episode breaks down the Virtual-First with Planned...
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IIP142 Distributed Work Experts: Lessons from NEI Electric Power Engineering
Inclusion in Progress
For this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we continue our Distributed Work Expert Series with someone (gasp!) outside of the tech industry! With this series, we’ve been highlighting some of the world’s leading experts who continue to map, innovate, and design how work looks from inside forward-thinking companies — designing a version of work that works for teams — regardless of where they choose to work. Our goal is to highlight distributed work leaders in companies to help forward-thinking leaders like you to: Navigate remote and hybrid work challenges with real-world...
info_outlineWhen it comes to discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace, most immediately veer into negative territory. It’s hard not to feel alarmed when most headlines we read about AI range from the outrageous to the terrifying.
But in reality, what are most organizations actually using AI for? How are systems, protocols, and processes being updated by AI-enabled technologies? And what does the increasing use of AI in companies mean for distributed teams and flexible work?
These questions are why Team IIP hosted an Executive Roundtable to discuss, “Beyond Automation: Will AI Enhance or Disrupt Flexible Work?”. We brought together leaders from across EMEA, with experience in and around the tech industry, to share what the AI conversation really looked like in their companies.
This episode of the Inclusion in Progress Podcast is a quick debrief of our roundtable, where we discuss…
- Who is currently leading the AI conversations in organizations
- How leaders are addressing skepticism and encouraging innovation around AI
- What ongoing employee AI upskilling and talent development strategies look like today
- Why the rise of AI signals the consolidation — rather than elimination — of flexible work
Thanks to Henrik Jarleskog, Joke Van Hamme, and Surbhi Srivastava for participating and sharing your insights with us!
#ArtificialIntelligence #AI #InclusiveDistributedWork #FutureOfWork #InclusionInProgress
TIMESTAMPS:
[03:37] The importance of leadership modeling when introducing AI into an organization
[05:18] How AI-enabled boosts in productivity and efficiency affects performance metrics
[06:37] Why upskilling strategies around AI must be personalized and playful
[07:55] How the future of work looks not just more efficient, but more meaningful with AI
[11:16] Why AI is integral in the Inclusive Distributed Work™ conversation moving forward
LINKS:
www.inclusioninprogress.com/podcast
www.linkedin.com/company/inclusion-in-progress
Download our Distributed Work Models E-Book to learn how to find the distributed work model that enables your teams to perform at their best.
Uncover your ideal Distributed Work Model with our RISE™ Scorecard, created to give you personalized insights into what's impacting your team’s workflows to discover which model is best fit for your teams.
Learn more about our roundtable participants Joke Van Hamme, Henrik Jarleskog, and Surbhi Srivastava.
Want us to partner with you on finding your best-fit hybrid work strategy? Get in touch to learn how we can tailor our services to your company’s DEI and remote work initiatives.
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