Episodes

  • [Fan Favorite] The Great Mismatch: Why Returning To The Office Is Not As Easy As We Thought

    [Fan Favorite] The Great Mismatch: Why Returning To The Office Is Not As Easy As We Thought
    Nov 18 2024
    In this episode of Long-Distance Worklife, co-hosts Marisa Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel discuss "the great mismatch" between organizations and remote workers when it comes to returning to the office. They explain that while there has always been a mismatch in expectations, the pandemic has highlighted the need for flexibility and understanding from both sides. They suggest that organizations need to understand their employees' needs before implementing return to office policies, rather than relying on perks like foosball tables or bring-your-dog-to-work day. Listeners will gain insight into how to navigate this great mismatch and create a successful hybrid work environment. Key Takeaways The challenges of returning to the office after remote work due to the pandemic.Polarization between organizations that want employees back in the office and employees who prefer remote work.Pilot over policy.Return to office was always going to be a challenge, and it's important to be flexible and adapt plans as needed. Timestamps 00:00:00 Podcast Episode: Return To Office And Remote Work Challenges 00:01:40 Unexpected Resistance to Return to Office 00:03:17 The Great Mismatch Between Employers and Employees 00:08:02 Corporate Mandates For In-person Work Are Ineffective 00:09:11 Benefits of Hybrid Working Arrangements 00:14:02 Pilot Over Policy for Return to Office 00:15:59 Strategies For Leaders: Overcoming Objections To Returning To Office 00:18:07 Summary: Returning to Office After Working Remotely Related Episodes Returning to Office with Kevin EikenberryExpectations for Returning to the Office When You’ve Never Been to the OfficeMandatory Office Days Additional Resources "The Great Mismatch" Explains a LotThe Formula for Leading Change and Returning to the OfficeThe One Question You Must Answer about Returning to the OfficeIs Return to Office An Insult?Learn more about Wayne TurmelEmail Wayne TurmelConnect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedInLearn more about Marisa EikenberryEmail Marisa EikenberryConnect with Marisa Eikenberry on LinkedIn Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeammatePurchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeamThe Kevin Eikenberry Group Want us to answer one of your questions? Contact Us! View full show notes and transcripts: https://longdistanceworklife.com/the-great-mismatch-why-returning-to-the-office-is-not-as-easy-as-we-thought/
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    22 mins
  • Beyond Tools: Building Trust and Accountability in Remote Project Management with Sri Ganesan

    Beyond Tools: Building Trust and Accountability in Remote Project Management with Sri Ganesan
    Nov 11 2024
    Wayne Turmel welcomes Sri Ganesan, co-founder and CEO of Rocketlane, for a deep dive into the challenges and innovations in remote project management. They discuss the complexities of client-facing projects, why traditional tools often fail remote teams, and how Rocketlane aims to centralize and streamline project delivery to create transparency and trust. Sri shares insights on the importance of proactive systems over "hero" managers, the evolving role of project management without dedicated PMs, and how AI is shaping the future of project oversight. Tune in for practical tips on building client trust, setting expectations, and fostering effective collaboration in a dispersed environment. Key Takeaways 1. Solving the Silo Problem: Remote project teams often suffer from information silos due to multiple tools. Rocketlane addresses this by providing a centralized platform for project and customer collaboration. 2. Transparency Builds Trust: Sri highlights the importance of transparency in client-facing projects, noting how regular status updates and customer-facing insights can reduce anxiety and foster trust. 3. From Hero to System: Great project management shouldn’t rely on heroic efforts. Instead, robust systems should proactively surface potential risks and keep projects on track without constant manual oversight. 4. Adapting Project Management: Many remote projects lack dedicated PMs, making it crucial for tools to fill this gap by guiding governance and best practices. 5. AI in Project Management: Sri encourages teams to start experimenting with AI to identify project risks early and improve efficiency in team workflows. Timestamps 00:00 Welcome to Long-Distance Worklife 00:36 Introduction to Rocketlane 02:09 The Problems with Current Project Tools 04:00 Challenges in Remote Project Management 06:11 Adapting PM Standards for Remote Work 08:32 Dual Roles in Project Management 10:07 Building Trust with Client Projects 12:18 Moving from Heroic to System-Driven PM 13:16 Gauging Client Sentiment Remotely 15:20 Managing Global Teams and Expectations 18:10 Proactive Project Management Techniques 20:47 The Role of AI in Project Management 22:41 Final Thoughts and Resources 23:48 Closing Remarks Related Episodes Solving the Challenges of Hybrid Teams with AI Technology with Projjal (PJ) GhatakThe CEO’s Guide to Thriving with a Global Remote Team with Anatoliy Labinskiy​Project Management Unplugged: Kory Kogon on Leading Without Limits​​​​What is Asynchronous Work?​​​ Additional Resources Learn more about Wayne TurmelEmail Wayne TurmelConnect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedInLearn more about Marisa EikenberryEmail Marisa EikenberryConnect with Marisa Eikenberry on LinkedInPurchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeammatePurchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeamThe Kevin Eikenberry Group Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longdistanceworklife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2P22kW5iaX8zU3B0-HVCUA Website: https://longdistanceworklife.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@longdistanceworklife 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... Join us for a powerful, 4-part video series titled, Demystifying Remote Leadership. You will learn how to create solid working relationships in a virtual team with more confidence and less stress! Sign up: https://longdistanceworklife.com/video Want us to answer one of your questions? Contact Us!
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    24 mins
  • Staying Connected When Natural Disasters Disrupt Remote Teams

    Staying Connected When Natural Disasters Disrupt Remote Teams
    Nov 4 2024

    Wayne Turmel and Marisa Eikenberry dive into a topic often overlooked—natural disasters and how they impact remote and hybrid work environments. As hurricanes, blizzards, and wildfires increase, so does the need for effective business continuity plans. Wayne and Marisa discuss real-world stories and provide insights on how companies can balance employee safety with the need for operational continuity. They cover essential strategies like communication protocols, cloud-based backups, risk assessment, and creating an emergency contact directory, offering practical advice to help remote teams stay connected and productive during crises.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Introduction: Why Disaster Preparedness Matters
    02:01 The High Cost of Delayed Evacuation
    04:07 Ensuring Data Accessibility for Remote Teams
    08:33 Building a Team Directory and Backup Contacts
    12:00 Offering Employees Grace During Crises
    15:00 Trust in Remote Employees During Disasters
    19:02 Wrap-Up: The Importance of Proactive Disaster Planning

    Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review!

    Connect with us:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longdistanceworklife/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2P22kW5iaX8zU3B0-HVCUA
    Website: https://longdistanceworklife.com/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@longdistanceworklife

    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...

    Join us for a powerful, 4-part video series titled, Demystifying Remote Leadership. You will learn how to create solid working relationships in a virtual team with more confidence and less stress! Sign up: https://longdistanceworklife.com/video

    Want us to answer one of your questions? Contact Us!
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    20 mins
  • [Fan Favorite] What Happens When Tax Accountants Embrace Innovation with Alan Whitman

    [Fan Favorite] What Happens When Tax Accountants Embrace Innovation with Alan Whitman
    Oct 28 2024

    Alan Whitman, CEO at Baker Tilly, joins Wayne to discuss what happens when you allow tax accountants (and other professional services) to be innovative in the world of remote work. They discuss some of the things that his company has had to change and adapt to in order to continue growing the company.

    Featured Guest

    Name: Alan Whitman

    What He Does: CEO at Baker Tilly US and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Baker Tilly International

    Notable: Named CEO and chairman of the board of partners in 2016, Whitman previously led the firm’s Michigan market and developed the organization’s robust international services practice. He joined Baker Tilly in 2003, having spent 15 years with another national CPA firm where he led the middle-market tax practice.

    Additional Resources
    • Accounting firm CEO challenges outdated talent paradigms to declare an organizational purpose
    • It’s Not About the Office
    • Baker Tilly
    • There is a better way: Breaking the mold of public accounting
    • Learn more about Wayne Turmel
    • Connect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedIn
    • The Kevin Eikenberry Group

    Want us to answer one of your questions? Contact Us!

    See the full show notes and transcript: https://longdistanceworklife.com/what-happens-when-tax-accountants-embrace-innovation-with-alan-whitman/

    Join us for a powerful, 4-part video series titled, Demystifying Remote Leadership. You will learn how to create solid working relationships in a virtual team with more confidence and less stress! Sign up: https://longdistanceworklife.com/video

    Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review!

    Connect with us:

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longdistanceworklife/
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2P22kW5iaX8zU3B0-HVCUA
    Website: https://longdistanceworklife.com/
    TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@longdistanceworklife

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    23 mins
  • Special Announcement: The Long-Distance Leader on Audible!

    Special Announcement: The Long-Distance Leader on Audible!
    Oct 25 2024

    🎙 Big News for Remote Leaders!


    The new edition of The Long-Distance Leader is coming to Audible on October 29! This audio edition includes the latest research and all-new strategies for thriving in remote and hybrid leadership. If you’re a fan of learning on the go, you won’t want to miss it.


    Preorder your copy now at longdistanceworklife.com/audible, and thank you for your commitment to building a remarkable remote leadership experience!
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    1 min
  • Amazon's Return to Office: Is Remote Work on the Way Out?

    Amazon's Return to Office: Is Remote Work on the Way Out?
    Oct 21 2024
    In this episode of Long-Distance Worklife, Marisa Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel tackle the hot-button issue of Amazon’s recent return-to-office mandate and what it means for the future of remote work. Amazon’s decision to require employees to come back to the office—and its ultimatum of “come back or find a new job”—has sparked conversations about whether this marks the end of the remote work era. Marisa and Wayne dive into the reasons behind Amazon’s push for office attendance, from massive real estate investments to a company culture driven by performance. They also explore the broader implications for other companies, the financial and cultural challenges that come with hybrid work, and how employees worldwide, like those at Ubisoft in France, are pushing back against such mandates. Key Takeaways: Amazon's RTO Mandate: Why Amazon is forcing employees back into the office and the real estate and management philosophies driving the decision.Is Remote Work Fading?: Why some companies are clinging to old work models, despite the success of remote work during the pandemic.Worker Pushback Globally: How employees, including Ubisoft workers in France, are fighting against return-to-office policies—and what this means for global trends.A Seismic Shift in Work: Why we’re in the midst of a massive change in how companies view work, leadership, and productivity. Timestamps 0:00 Intro 1:00 Amazon’s Return-to-Office Policy Explained 3:20 Why Some Companies Are Going Back to the Office 5:30 Real Estate and CEO Ego: What’s Really Driving the Mandates 10:00 Global Pushback: Ubisoft and Strikes Over Office Returns 13:00 Is Remote Work Really Going Away? 16:00 What Does This Mean for Employers and Employees? 18:30 Remote Work Isn’t Dead Yet: Final Thoughts Related Episodes Navigating Return-to-Office Strategies in the U.S. and EuropeNavigating Office Returns: Harmony or Hostage Negotiation?The Return-to-Office Backfire: Why Scare Tactics Don't WorkThe Great Mismatch: Why Returning To The Office Is Not As Easy As We Thought Additional Resources French Ubisoft employees urged to strike over new return to office policy - PCGamer700+ Ubisoft France staff walk out on a three-day strike in dispute over home working and pay - GamesIndustry.bizAmazon boss has a brutal response to staffers who don't like 5-day RTO mandate - FortuneAs Amazon Announces 5-Day RTO, Are Other Employers Rethinking Their Stance? - ForbesLearn more about Wayne TurmelEmail Wayne TurmelConnect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedInLearn more about Marisa EikenberryEmail Marisa EikenberryConnect with Marisa Eikenberry on LinkedInPurchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeammatePurchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeamThe Kevin Eikenberry Group 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... Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longdistanceworklife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2P22kW5iaX8zU3B0-HVCUA Website: https://longdistanceworklife.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@longdistanceworklife Want us to answer one of your questions? Contact Us!
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    20 mins
  • Flexible Workspaces and the Future of Work with Sam Rosen

    Flexible Workspaces and the Future of Work with Sam Rosen
    Oct 14 2024
    Wayne Turmel is joined by Sam Rosen, the founder of Deskpass, to explore how the office landscape has changed in recent years. Sam shares his journey from opening one of Chicago’s first co-working spaces to developing tools that connect companies and remote workers with flexible workspaces. They discuss the evolving role of offices, how companies can make strategic real estate decisions, and the benefits of offering co-working options to remote and hybrid teams. Sam also dives into the differences between designing workspaces with a human-centered approach versus the traditional real estate mindset. Tune in to discover how you can leverage flexible spaces to improve productivity and retain top talent. Key Takeaways Flexible workspaces provide a valuable alternative to traditional offices, offering professional environments tailored to diverse work needs.A human-centered design approach prioritizes worker needs over merely filling office space, unlike traditional real estate perspectives.Companies are reducing their office footprints to save costs while using co-working spaces to maintain access to professional environments.Proximity and convenience are key benefits of co-working spaces, making them ideal when working from home isn't suitable.In-person meetings should be reserved for deep collaboration or cultural reinforcement, with a focus on asynchronous work whenever possible.Successful remote companies prioritize culture, communication tools, and processes over physical office space.Access to flexible workspaces helps attract and retain talent, expanding the hiring pool and supporting employees' varied work preferences. Featured Guest Name: Sam Rosen Bio: Sam Rosen is the co-founder and CEO of Deskpass, an online marketplace connecting teams and individuals to thousands of coworking spaces and conference rooms across the country. A creative problem solver, Sam's passion for coworking began with co-founding The Coop, Chicago’s first coworking space, and he has since become a recognized entrepreneur and voice in the design community. Prior to Deskpass, he co-founded The Post Family art collaborative and One Design Company, a digital branding agency that blends research, communication, and design for top brands. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sammyrosen/ https://www.deskpass.com/ Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Sam Rosen and Deskpass 01:03 Sam’s Background in Co-Working and Design 02:05 The Evolution of Office Spaces and Remote Work 03:19 Design vs. Real Estate: What’s the Difference? 04:51 Advantages of Co-Working Spaces 07:09 How to Use Deskpass for Remote Work Travel 08:17 Making Flexible Workspaces Work for Your Company 10:00 Real-Life Examples of Deskpass in Action 13:15 Keeping Culture Alive in Remote Teams 17:19 Deciding When to Meet In Person 19:08 Conclusion and Resources Related Episodes What is Culture?Beyond the Office Walls: Mastering Remote Work with Jeanna BarrettGlobal Office, Family Home: Remote Work Lessons from a Digital Nomad Family with Chris StroudDesigning a Winning Culture for Remote Teams: Insights from the Authors of The Long-Distance Team Additional Resources Learn more about Wayne TurmelEmail Wayne TurmelConnect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedInPurchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeammatePurchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeamThe Kevin Eikenberry Group Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longdistanceworklife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2P22kW5iaX8zU3B0-HVCUA Website: https://longdistanceworklife.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@longdistanceworklife Join us for a powerful, 4-part video series titled, Demystifying Remote Leadership. You will learn how to create solid working relationships in a virtual team with more confidence and less stress! Sign up: https://longdistanceworklife.com/video Want us to answer one of your questions? Contact Us!
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    19 mins
  • Mastering Hybrid Coaching: Avoiding Proximity Bias in Remote Teams

    Mastering Hybrid Coaching: Avoiding Proximity Bias in Remote Teams
    Oct 7 2024
    Wayne Turmel and Marisa Eikenberry tackle the challenge of proximity bias and its impact on coaching in remote and hybrid teams. Proximity bias, where leaders give preferential treatment to those physically closer, can skew coaching opportunities and development. Wayne and Marisa discuss how to overcome this bias and ensure remote team members receive equal attention and guidance. You’ll also learn practical tips on how to leverage technology, such as Zoom, Slack, and Teams, to create more effective and meaningful coaching experiences. Key Takeaways Defining Proximity Bias: What it is and why it matters, not just for leaders but also for peers and teams.Coaching Differences: How coaching remote employees differs from in-person coaching and why proximity plays a significant role.The Importance of Regular Feedback: How coaching should be proactive, consistent, and more formal in remote settings to avoid isolation.Leveraging Technology: Tips on using tools like Zoom and Slack to enrich one-on-one coaching experiences and maintain engagement.Avoiding Bias in Hybrid Teams: Strategies to ensure that in-office employees don’t get favored over their remote counterparts during coaching sessions.The Emotional Impact: How not receiving feedback or coaching can be demotivating for remote employees, and what leaders can do to avoid this. Timestamps 00:00 Intro 00:27 What is Proximity Bias? 01:35 How Proximity Bias Affects Coaching 03:11 Differences Between In-Person and Remote Coaching 05:14 Signs of Proximity Bias in One-on-Ones 07:45 Using Technology to Enhance Remote Coaching 09:48 Creating a Level Playing Field with Remote Tools 10:48 Coaching Conversations: Feedback and Emotional Dynamics 12:22 The Importance of Trust in Coaching 14:05 How to Start a Good Coaching Conversation 17:49 Final Thoughts on Hybrid Coaching 18:25 Long-Distance Leader Book Promotion 18:56 Outro Related Episodes Is Your Hybrid Work Strategy a Mule or a Platypus?Deciphering the Dynamics of Hybrid Work with Henry O'LoughlinCreating Ethical Visibility on Remote TeamsSolving the Challenges of Hybrid Teams with AI Technology with Projjal (PJ) Ghatak Additional Resources Learn more about Wayne TurmelEmail Wayne TurmelConnect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedInLearn more about Marisa EikenberryEmail Marisa EikenberryConnect with Marisa Eikenberry on LinkedInPurchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeammatePurchase a copy of The Long-Distance TeamThe Kevin Eikenberry Group Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longdistanceworklife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2P22kW5iaX8zU3B0-HVCUA Website: https://longdistanceworklife.com/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@longdistanceworklife Join us for a powerful, 4-part video series titled, Demystifying Remote Leadership. You will learn how to create solid working relationships in a virtual team with more confidence and less stress! Sign up: https://longdistanceworklife.com/video Want us to answer one of your questions? Contact Us!
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    20 mins