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.

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 rea...

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 divin...

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 a...

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 whi...

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...

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 Hub...

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 tra...

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 Progr...

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 choos...

For this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we return to our Distributed Work Expert Interview Series. On the podcast, we've been  highlighting some of the world's leading experts who continue to map, innovate, and design how distributed 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 high...

Have you ever wondered how you can take your existing hybrid work model and optimize it so that it serves both your employees and your business goals? We often think of hybrid models as a  compromise between remote and office-based work but — if you don't intentionally design and revisit your hybrid strategy regularly — this mentality can end up hindering productivity rather than enhancing it. Whi...

When 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...

For years corporate success was measured by the size of a company's headquarters, but this all changed overnight when the pandemic hit. Companies soon realized that they didn't need their employees to commute to one central location to collaborate effectively. 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 worki...

On this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we resume our Distributed Work Expert Series. With this series, we're  highlighting some of the world's leading experts who continue to map, innovate, and design how distributed 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 start highlighting di...

As we've learned over the last five years, workplace flexibility is not one-size-fits all. Some teams need structure, others need autonomy. Some teams are scattered across the globe, and others are scattered across a state or a country. 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 hybri...

As hybrid work becomes the new normal, companies face the challenge of balancing flexibility with collaboration. This has become the defining challenge for companies worldwide today. For some, hybrid work offers the best of both worlds, providing flexibility for employees while maintaining in-person collaboration. However, without a clear strategy, companies risk increased turnover, disengagement,...

Hybrid work is a spectrum — and there are more than two options than just fully remote and fully in-office.  Which is why on this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we're diving into one of the 12 distributed work models we've identified over the past decade of working with remote and hybrid teams.  This episode breaks down the Asynchronous-First + Planned In-Office Time Model — which balances asyn...

On this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we kick off our Distributed Work Expert Series. With this series, we're  highlighting some of the world's leading experts who continue to map, innovate, and design how distributed 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 start highlighting...

In today's global workplace, effective communication can make or break a team's success. But for multicultural, distributed teams, navigating differences in language, cultural norms, and collaboration styles often feels overwhelming.    In this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we uncover the root causes of communication challenges in distributed teams — and more importantly, how to solve them.  ...

From leadership gaps to communication barriers to unclear expectations — companies are missing opportunities to find a distributed work model that works best for their teams.   On this episode of the Inclusion in Progress podcast, we discuss what is standing in the way of making distributed work models effective, why the debate should move beyond remote vs. RTO (return-to-office), and what leaders...

We've spent 2024 navigating some of the most pressing challenges facing our organizations today: Communication breakdowns between teams due to socioeconomic or geopolitical events The tug-of-war between return-to-office and remote work The politicization of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) itself …all of which directly affects the teams that leaders claim they're supporting.    While organiz...

A principle at the core of our Inclusive Distributed Work™ framework is compassionate collision — bringing different perspectives to the table and creating psychological safety for everyone to contribute their ideas and views to an organization. The goal of compassionate collision isn't to "fix" or "solve" complex issues overnight, but to create an environment where people can express themselves w...

IIP128 Why In-Office Mandates Hinder Innovation & Inclusion Show Notes The company on everyone's mind in the ongoing return-to-office debates is none other than Amazon. The global company's decision to roll back hybrid work models and reinstate in-office mandates in January 2025 has raised eyebrows — and not in a good way.   While Amazon (and companies like them) may view this in-office mandate as...

Since 2022, employers have been working against a global talent shortage, particularly amongst knowledge workers. This has put immense pressure on teams, increasing the risk of burnout, and prompting some leaders to consider leaving their positions. Doubling down on DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) to increase the presence of underrepresented or excluded groups — whether from non-traditional...