Embracing Remote Work: Insights from Hollywood to the Corporate World

Middle managers often have to balance executive expectations with the needs of their employees. Remote work magnifies this challenge, making it vital to adopt strategies that keep teams productive and connected.

In a world where remote work has become the norm, despite challenges from other organizations, understanding how to leverage it effectively is crucial. In episode 89 of The Manager's Mic Podcast, Steven Puri, a seasoned executive in the film and tech industries, discusses remote work.

Steven Puri shares his perspective from Hollywood, having worked on and influenced major film franchises, including Star Trek, Die Hard, and Transformers. He explains how the film industry has long adopted a hybrid model, incorporating remote work into a creative process. This experience has equipped him with valuable insights into leading remote teams effectively.

The Power of Flow States

A key takeaway from the conversation is the importance of achieving productivity through flow states. Steven emphasizes the need for uninterrupted time to allow individuals to enter a state of deep work, which typically takes about 15 minutes to achieve, in order to foster creativity and innovation, drawing parallels between this concept and the practices of high-performing athletes and artists.

Something as simple as scheduling two daily 90-minute focus blocks can help remote employees enter a state of flow more consistently. This rhythm often proves more effective than spreading tasks across eight fragmented hours.

Company Culture

Steven emphasizes the importance of establishing a strong company culture and hiring individuals who align with the organization's mission and values. He stresses that trust and empowerment are essential for remote teams to succeed. Leaders can unlock their teams' full potential by fostering an environment that encourages flow states and deep work.

Simple habits like acknowledging small wins publicly, sharing team updates consistently, and being transparent in decision-making help reinforce culture even when employees rarely meet face-to-face

History Related to Remote Work

The first video conference call cost $250,000 in 1982. The resources needed to make remote work a reality are astronomical. Engineers scratched their heads trepidly to make it a reality in the 1930s, and one of them said, "Remote is not going to work."

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work technology is here to stay. The average annual cost of savings for one remote worker is $19,000, and a 54% reduction in carbon emissions occurs when an employee works five days remotely. Ironically, we have executives saying, "Remote work is not going to work." The only difference between them is that one was on the path toward innovation.

For more information, watch a video on YouTube titled 'Why Remote Work Works'. It did not reach the desired number of views, but the description includes many sources.

An Action Plan to Help Better Manage Remote Workers

This plan is designed to be simple and easy to implement, but for it to be effective, the manager and direct report must be aligned. Schdule an initial meeting to discuss this. A weekly one-on-one should look like this:

• The camera on both computers stays on to maintain transparency.
• Cap the meeting time at 30 minutes.
• Review the status of projects assigned.
• The direct report communicates three wins, two areas of opportunity, and one idea to help the company (even if it is a bad idea sometimes).
  • The purpose of introducing an idea is to help integrate the manager and direct report into the company's culture through this process.

This process occurred when reporting to a reputable director. Our professional relationship led to the creation of this system. As a direct report, the employee is empowered; however, adverse consequences may occur if the guidance is not consistently followed through.

Conclusion

Conversations like the one with Steven Puri remind us that remote work is more than just a policy; it is an opportunity to reimagine leadership for the digital age.

As remote work continues to shape the future of business, embracing the lessons from industries like film can provide valuable insights. Middle managers can drive innovation and success in the digital age by prioritizing flow states, cultivating a strong culture, and empowering teams by leveraging remote work.

Maintaining remote work is challenging, much like other situations, such as giving incorrect feedback, crushing someone's confidence, or making a decision that seems logical but ultimately proves to be completely misguided.

Not every position will allow for remote work, but the opportunity to work remotely where it makes sense is crucial, as the data clearly shows that remote work does work.