The evidence is clear: rigid RTO policies and stack ranking systems are failing modern teams. But there are some innovative companies embracing flexibility and trust. And they are thriving. In this episode, we contrast outdated "Factory Floor Management" and more innovative, modern approaches, including my own “Lead Like a Landscape Architect” approach.

We take a look at recent studies that provide the proof that flexible work supports creativity and productivity, including research from Owl Labs that reveals that 62% of workers aged 22-65 report higher productivity when working remotely. The financial impact is equally significant, with companies saving approximately $11,000 per half-time remote worker annually, as reported by Global Workplace Analytics.

We’ll also showcase some of the companies leading the way in modern management, including Airbnb and GitHub, as well as Pinterest, who uses intentional in-person gatherings for team building while allowing day-to-day work to happen wherever employees are most productive.

Finally, I share some of my tips for working within restrictive, old-school cultures, including:

* Flexible scheduling

* Reserving rooms and spaces

* Supporting buffer time for commutes and personal needs

As well as not being a robot and using empathy and transparency to create psychological safety for your team.

Get my book, Not Safe for Work