Flex Perspectives

In this episode, Rob is joined by Darren Murph, the Head of Communications for Technology Strategy at Ford and former Director of Remote at GitLab. Darren, hailed as the "Oracle of Remote Work" by CNBC, played a pivotal role in leading GitLab's transformation into the first fully remote public company and has been included in Forbes Future of Work 50 and LinkedIn Top Voice in Remote Work list. Join us as we discuss:  Lessons in Scale: How GitLab became the world's first fully remote public company and the key milestones that established them as remote work pioneers. Remote Work Best Practices: What tried-and-true strategies from GitLab and Ford organizations can action on to strengthen their own remote work operations. Common Pitfalls: How to proactively recognize and avoid the most common obstacles that hinder an organization’s success in scaling remote work. Flex Perspectives is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Youtube. 

Ryan Anderson, VP of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll, shares insights on redesigning the office, empowering work from home, and the power of design in optimizing workspaces. Topics include enhancing collaboration, well-being, and productivity in the office, subtle design choices for work-from-home experiences, and the potential of design to enhance overall well-being.

In this episode, Rob Sadow sits down with Haniel Lynn, CEO of Kastle Systems. Kastle Systems is renowned for producing the Workplace Occupancy Barometer, a pivotal dataset in return to office tracking. Join us as Haniel shares his insights into three key areas that are transforming the way we work:  Return to Office Insights: Explore the latest data-driven insights from Kastle’s Workplace Occupancy Barometer into the return to office landscape Hybrid Work Dynamics: Delve into the nuanced challenges and opportunities of hybrid work models, from the significance of specific office days to the evolving dynamics of in-person collaboration. Data-Driven Work Futures: Discover how data is shaping the future of work as leaders and organizations leverage insights to optimize office spaces, improve employee engagement, and adapt to changing work patterns. Flex Perspectives is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Youtube. 

In this episode, Rob is joined by best-selling author and workplace strategist Erica Keswin. Drawing from her latest book, “The Retention Revolution: 7 Surprising (and Very Human!) Ways to Keep Employees Connected to Your Company,” Erica explores how flexibility, intentionality, and human connection can revolutionize the way companies retain their employees, achieve business success, and nurture an inclusive workspace. Key takeaways:  The Power of Intentionality: Understand the critical role of intentionality in building flexible work environments and avoiding a “recipe for resentment” Lessons from Microsoft: Discover how industry giants like Microsoft are reimagining office spaces and promoting connection through intentional design and team-focused events Redefining Productivity Metrics: Gain actionable insights into reevaluating productivity metrics through the lens of autonomy, connection, and equity (ACE). Flex Perspectives is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube.

In this episode, Rob is joined by Raj Choudhury, the Lumry Family Associate Professor at Harvard Business School. Raj's groundbreaking research on the "geography of work" has garnered attention from major publications such as Harvard Business Review, NPR, and the New York Times. Raj delves deep into the dynamics of remote work and how it's reshaping the way organizations bring their people together. Key topics: Geographic Flexibility: How the ‘work from anywhere’ concept can effectively address longstanding traditional work-related migration challenges  Co-Location Continuum: The benefits of structured group interactions for remote teams, especially among dissimilar team members Offsite Mindset: Practical strategies for executives to consider when determining the frequency, timing, location, and purpose of in-person meetings Flex Perspectives is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Youtube. 

Discover why frequent in-person collaboration is essential for early-stage startups, gain insights into current office policy trends, learn how strategic experimentation can optimize work models, and explore the importance of finding the right balance between personal and working time.

Join Rob in a dialogue with Julia Hobsbawm, an acclaimed award-winning speaker, consultant, and distinguished Bloomberg columnist renowned for her comprehensive insights into the future of work. As the author of "The Nowhere Office: Reinventing Work and the Workplace of the Future," Julia's expertise shines through as she shares her perspectives on: The Nowhere Office: Tracing the dynamic evolution of work from the post-World War II era to our present climate of enhanced flexibility  The Queenagers Influence: Unveiling the pivotal role that Queenagers played in shaping women's empowerment in the workplace Women at Work: Discovering the driving force behind the remarkable surge in women's workforce participation and uncovering strategies that organizations can embrace to both attract and retain Queenagers. Flex Perspectives is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Youtube. 

Join Rob in a discussion with Kevin Delaney, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of Charter, and Massella Dukuly, Head of Workplace Strategy & Innovation, as they explore AI in HR leadership. Discover approaches for addressing AI anxiety, distinctions between automation and augmentation, and actionable recommendations for navigating the AI transition.

In this episode, Rob is joined by Kay Sargent, Director of HOK’s Global WorkPlace practice, the largest US-based architecture-engineering firm. Recognized by IIDA, ASID, and numerous other organizations for her influence on the profession of design, Kay shares her invaluable expertise in workplace strategy and design, including: 1. The Impending ‘Kodak Moment’: The significance of the current corporate real estate climate and why firms should be feeling the pressure  2. Winning In Times of Upheaval: The three most common characteristics every ‘winner’ of corporate real estate must embody 3. Remaining Nimble: Actionable recommendations for how companies can remain agile in the face of a dynamically changing work environment  Flex Perspectives is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Youtube. 

Join us as we welcome Tiffany Dufu, founder and CEO of The Cru and bestselling author of "Drop the Ball: Achieving More by Doing Less." In this episode, Tiffany shares the lessons she learned while leading her company through the challenges of the pandemic. Key topics include:  Embracing self-care & boundaries: Why self-care & establishing boundaries is vital, especially during challenging times Building community: Practical strategies and advice on how to foster community and seek mentors in a flexible working world Nurturing connections: Tips to building relationships and strengthening connections even when in-person interactions aren’t possible  Tune in to gain insights and actionable advice from Tiffany on entrepreneurship, self-care, community building, and mentorship in the modern workplace.  Flex Perspectives is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Youtube.