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 highlight distributed work leaders in companies to help forward-thinking leaders like you to:

• Navigate remote and hybrid work challenges with real-world examples
• Draw inspiration to find a distributed work model that is best suited for your teams
• Reimagine your workplaces with research-backed insights from experts at the forefront of the future of work conversation
  

For this episode, we’re joined by Kaylie Boogaerts, Director of People at Checkly, who shared about their ongoing commitment to intentional growth, cross-team collaboration, and building trust through inclusion — as a remote-first organization since 2016.

🎧 Tune in now to learn more about how global leaders like you are continuing to adapt in our ever-changing work landscape.

#InclusiveDistributedWork #MulticulturalTeams #GlobalLeadership #Checkly #InclusioninProgress

TIMESTAMPS:

[03:23] What it is like to shift from a fully remote to remote-first work culture

[09:12] The challenges of distributed workplaces — and the opportunities that come with them

[13:08] Why it is important to establish team norms and rituals from initial employee onboarding

[19:22] What “assuming good intentions” means for the people at Checkly

[27:38] How to encourage leaders to invest in a distributed workplace

LINKS:

info@inclusioninprogress.com

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.

Connect with Kaylie through LinkedIn to learn more about her journey at Checkly.

Want us to partner with you on building more inclusive distributed work? Get in touch to learn how we can tailor our services to your company’s DEI and remote work initiatives.

Subscribe to the Inclusion in Progress Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get notified when new episodes come out!

Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.

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.

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 Output-Optimized Hybrid Model — which balances the best of remote autonomy and in-person collaboration.

We cover:

• How to ensure that productivity and collaboration are measured by output, not locatioN
• What to consider before choosing this Output-Optimized Hybrid Model for your teams
• The challenges of implementing this distributed work model and how to solve them

We’ll be breaking down the rest of all of these work models on future episodes, so subscribe to the podcast to make sure you don’t miss out!

And if you’re a People or HR leader who wants a more detailed breakdown of the 12 distributed work models (and an easy framework to decide which works best for your organization)...

Download a copy of our Distributed Work Success E-book today!

TIMESTAMPS:

[02:19] How the Output-Optimized model balances the best of autonomy and collaboration

[03:57] What are some of the key principles to applying output-optimized workplaces?

[05:25] What are some of the most common challenges for this Distributed Work Model?

[06:52] How to know if the Output-Optimized Model is best fit for your organization?

LINKS:

info@inclusioninprogress.com

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.

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.

Subscribe to the Inclusion in Progress Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get notified when new episodes come out!

Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.

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 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:

info@inclusioninprogress.com

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.

Subscribe to the Inclusion in Progress Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get notified when new episodes come out!

Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.

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 working with remote and hybrid teams.

This episode breaks down the Hub-And-Spoke Model — which highlights a decentralized approach to workplace design, enabling both in-person and remote collaboration.

We cover:

• How satellite “spoke” offices can support a central “hub” office in practice
• What to consider before choosing this Hub-And-Spoke Model for your teams
• The challenges of implementing this distributed work model and how to solve them

We’ll be breaking down the rest of all of these work models on future episodes, so subscribe to the podcast to make sure you don’t miss out!

And if you’re a People or HR leader who wants a more detailed breakdown of the 12 distributed work models (and an easy framework to decide which works best for your organization)...

Download a copy of our Distributed Work Success E-book today!

 To identify any gaps in your current work model and get tailored insights to improve efficiency and engagement,  take our Free RISE™ Scorecard and get a personalized report in minutes.

#InclusiveDistributedWork #HybridWork #FutureOfWork #InclusionInProgress

TIMESTAMPS:

[01:55] How the Hub-And-Spoke model reimagines workspaces and how it enables a new level of collaboration

[03:51] What are some of the key principles to applying hub and spoke office spaces?

[05:50] What are some of the most common challenges for this Distributed Work Model?

[06:17] How to know if the Hub-And-Spoke Model is best fit for your organization?

LINKS:

info@inclusioninprogress.com

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.

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.

Subscribe to the Inclusion in Progress Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get notified when new episodes come out!

Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.

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 distributed work leaders in companies to help forward-thinking leaders like you to:

• Navigate remote and hybrid work challenges with real-world examples
• Draw inspiration to find a distributed work model that is best suited for your teams
• Reimagine your workplaces with research-backed insights from experts at the forefront of the future of work conversation

For this episode, we’re joined by Leah Knobler, VP of People at Help Scout, who shares their company’s commitment to accessibility, transparency, and intentionality — as a fully remote-first organization since 2012.

Leah shares how Help Scout continues to double down on their distributed work model — in spite of the current RTO (return-to-office) trends — and how their remote-first approach has allowed them to continue to grow globally year on year.

🎧 Tune in now to learn more about how global leaders like you are continuing to adapt in our ever-changing work landscape.

#InclusiveDistributedWork #MulticulturalTeams #GlobalLeadership #HelpScout #InclusioninProgress

TIMESTAMPS:

[03:10] How intentionality plays a big role in distributed work.

[07:33] What people misunderstand about remote work and how in-person collaboration helps distributed teams thrive.

[11:04] How the hiring process jumpstarts innovation, especially with robust onboarding.

[13:14] Why it is important to emphasize and practice clarity when collaborating through digital tools.

[17:41] How company transparency and accountability keeps distributed teams engaged.

LINKS:

info@inclusioninprogress.com

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.

Connect with Leah through LinkedIn to learn more about her journey at Help Scout.

Want to know more about the tools Leah mentioned in this episode? Check out the Slab, Slack and Linear websites.

Download our 2024 Whitepaper: "How Cybersecurity Companies Can Retain, Promote & Advance Women to Minimize the Gender Gap"

Want us to partner with you on building more inclusive distributed work? Get in touch to learn how we can tailor our services to your company’s DEI and remote work initiatives.

Subscribe to the Inclusion in Progress Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get notified when new episodes come out!

Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.

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 hybrid teams.

This episode breaks down the Flexi-Remote + Core Office Weeks Model — which balances strong in-office presence and remote work flexibility for recruitment, retention, and performance goals.

We cover:

• How the model does against the three principles of our Inclusive Distributed Work™ framework

• What to consider before choosing this Flexi-Remote + Core Office Weeks Model for your teams

• The challenges of implementing this distributed work model and how it can affect your teams in the longrun

We’ll be breaking down the rest of all of these work models on future episodes, so subscribe to the podcast to make sure you don’t miss out!

And if you’re a People or HR leader who wants a more detailed breakdown of the 12 distributed work models (and an easy framework to decide which works best for your organization)...

Download a copy of our Distributed Work Success E-book today!

#InclusiveDistributedWork #AsynchronousCommunication #HybridWork #InclusionInProgress

TIMESTAMPS:

[01:52] Why is Inclusion in Progress highlighting different Distributed Work Models?

[02:29] How do we define the Flexi-Remote + Core Office Weeks Model?

[02:56] How does this distributed work model measure up against the principles of our Inclusive Distributed Work™ framework?

[04:11] What are the challenges that may arise from the implementation of this model?

LINKS:

info@inclusioninprogress.com

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.

Learn more about Proximity Bias, The 3 Hidden Biases of Hybrid Work & How to Avoid Them.

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.

Subscribe to the Inclusion in Progress Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get notified when new episodes come out!

Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.

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, and missed opportunities for innovation.

On this episode of Inclusion in Progress, we’ll discuss:

• How to design hybrid work models that foster equity, innovation, and long-term success

• The biggest roadblocks organizations face when tackling the RTO vs remote debate

• Why hybrid work matters for today’s workforce and the future of work

• Practical solutions to align hybrid strategies with measurable business goals.

To complement your listening to this episode, download our Distributed Work Model E-book for more insights on how you can apply our framework to your distributed teams.

TIMESTAMPS:

[03:33] How does Inclusion in Progress define Inclusive Distributed Work™?

[06:42] Why are we not advocating for fully remote or fully in-office workplaces?

[10:15] Why do we say that the current version of hybrid work is broken?

[12:50] What are practical examples of effective distributed work models?

LINKS:

info@inclusioninprogress.com

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.

Check out IIP Episode 96 to learn more about The 3 Hidden Biases of Hybrid Work & How to Avoid Them.

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.

Subscribe to the Inclusion in Progress Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get notified when new episodes come out!

Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.

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 asynchronous or async work with intentional in-office time — balancing employees’ desire for flexibility with curated networking and team-building opportunities to improve employee engagement.

We cover:

• How the async work model looks like in practice and why in-office time still matters

• What to consider before choosing this async + in-office model for your teams

• The challenges of implementing this distributed work model and how to solve them

We’ll be breaking down the rest of all of these work models on future episodes, so subscribe to the podcast to make sure you don’t miss out!

And if you’re a People or HR leader who wants a more detailed breakdown of the 12 distributed work models (and an easy framework to decide which works best for your organization)...

Download a copy of our Distributed Work Success E-book today!

#InclusiveDistributedWork #AsynchronousCommunication #HybridWork #InclusionInProgress

TIMESTAMPS:

[03:14] How Inclusion in Progress defines and measures Inclusive Distributed Work™

[06:18] What are some of the key principles to applying asynchronous work with planned in-office time?

[07:33] What are some of the most common challenges for this Distributed Work Model?

[09:12] How to know if the Asynchronous-First + Planned In-Office Time Model is for your organization?

LINKS:

info@inclusioninprogress.com

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.

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.

Subscribe to the Inclusion in Progress Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify to get notified when new episodes come out!

Learn how to leave a review for the podcast.