Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

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

• Navigating Return-to-Office Strategies in the U.S. and Europe
• Navigating Office Returns: Harmony or Hostage Negotiation?
• The Return-to-Office Backfire: Why Scare Tactics Don't Work
• The Great Mismatch: Why Returning To The Office Is Not As Easy As We Thought

• French Ubisoft employees urged to strike over new return to office policy - PCGamer
• 700+ Ubisoft France staff walk out on a three-day strike in dispute over home working and pay - GamesIndustry.biz
• Amazon boss has a brutal response to staffers who don't like 5-day RTO mandate - Fortune
• As Amazon Announces 5-Day RTO, Are Other Employers Rethinking Their Stance? - Forbes
• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Connect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Marisa Eikenberry
• Email Marisa Eikenberry
• Connect with Marisa Eikenberry on LinkedIn
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Team
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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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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.

• 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.

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/

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

• What is Culture?
• Beyond the Office Walls: Mastering Remote Work with Jeanna Barrett
• Global Office, Family Home: Remote Work Lessons from a Digital Nomad Family with Chris Stroud
• Designing a Winning Culture for Remote Teams: Insights from the Authors of The Long-Distance Team

• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Connect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedIn
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Team
• The 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!

In this episode of The Long-Distance Worklife, hosts Wayne Turmel and Marisa Eikenberry dive into the evolving landscape of remote and hybrid leadership. With the upcoming release of the second edition of The Long-Distance Leader, Wayne shares insights on how leadership has transformed since the book's original publication in 2018. From the disappearance of the "Remote Leadership Institute" brand to the emergence of hybrid teams as the new standard, the discussion highlights crucial changes in the way we work and lead. Tune in to learn about the key updates in the book, the importance of ongoing learning for leaders, and practical strategies for thriving in today's remote work environment.

1. How Remote Leadership Has Changed Since 2018
2. The Rise of Hybrid Teams
3. First Order vs. Second Order Changes in Leadership
4. The Shift to Written Communication
5. Preparing for Ongoing Changes in Work and Technology

00:00 Introduction to Today's Episode
01:50 How Remote Leadership Has Changed Since 2018
03:36 Understanding Hybrid Teams and Their Impact
05:05 First Order vs. Second Order Changes in Leadership
09:09 The Shift to Written Communication in Remote Teams
15:07 Preparing for Continuous Change in Work and Technology
20:34 Special Announcement: Preorder the Revised Long-Distance Leader
21:21 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

• The Long-Distance Leader Anniversary Episode
• Navigating Hybrid Havoc with John Forsythe
• Deciphering the Dynamics of Hybrid Work with Henry O'Loughlin

• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Connect with Wayne Turmel on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Marisa Eikenberry
• Email Marisa Eikenberry
• Connect with Marisa Eikenberry on LinkedIn
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Team
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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 

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!

In 2022, The Long-Distance Leader celebrates its 4th anniversary! Marisa asks Wayne about some ways that remote work has changed since the book was written and some key takeaways that he hopes that readers get from reading the book.

• Purchase The Long-Distance Leader or The Long-Distance Teammate
• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Learn more about Marisa Eikenberry
• Email Marisa Eikenberry
• The Remote Leadership Institute
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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

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

We learned a lot about working remotely from the pandemic, and in some cases, we also learned how we were wrong about the future of remote work. Trina Hoefling joins Wayne to discuss this. 

• Learn more about Trina Hoefling
• Connect with Trina Hoefling on LinkedIn
• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• The Remote Leadership Institute
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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

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

Wayne and Marisa discuss how to make small talk on a remote team less awkward and what role GIFs play in remote communication. 

• Emojis, GIFS, and Avoiding Confrontation
• Relationships Still Matter on Remote Teams
• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Learn more about Marisa Eikenberry
• Email Marisa Eikenberry
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• The Remote Leadership Institute
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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

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

Lance Cummins from Anyvoo joins Wayne Turmel to discuss why you should be mindful of your background on video calls.

Anyvoo provides instruction, coaching, and products that transform how remote workers interact in professional settings on video calls.

• Email Lance Cummins
• Learn more about Anyvoo
• Connect with Nectafy
• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• The Remote Leadership Institute
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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://www.remoteleadershipinstitute.com/remote-leadership-video-series/ 

Marisa and Wayne answer a question posed by Tony Hartsfield asking how to be productive on a multigenerational team. They discuss their experiences on a multigenerational team (and a multigenerational podcast duo), things to keep in mind no matter which generation you're in, and how to ease the tension between everyone.

• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Learn more about Marisa Eikenberry
• Email Marisa Eikenberry
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• The Remote Leadership Institute
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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

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

Rajiv Ayyangar, CEO and Founder of Tandem, joins Wayne to discuss hybrid work and the tools we need to make it happen.

Tandem is a virtual office for remote and hybrid teams. 

• Learn more about Tandem
• Connect with Rajiv Ayyangar
• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Email Wayne Turmel
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• The Remote Leadership Institute
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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!

You may have noticed some people talking about running out for an errand during their work day or moving some of their work to a time when they're more productive. Marisa asks Wayne about time shifting, or asynchronous work, and how to do it successfully in your organization. 

• Learn more about Wayne Turmel
• Learn more about Marisa Eikenberry
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Leader
• Purchase a copy of The Long-Distance Teammate
• The Remote Leadership Institute
• The Kevin Eikenberry Group

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://www.remoteleadershipinstitute.com/remote-leadership-video-series/