The Collaboration Superpowers Podcast

In this special bonus episode of the Head of Remote podcast, we explore what it means to build workplaces where neurodivergent professionals can truly thrive, especially in remote and hybrid environments. Our guests are Robin Bassie, founder of Galileo IT Services, a social enterprise providing IT training and job placements for neurodivergent talent, and Simone Luurs, founder of IMPROVE and an expert in autism, coaching, and inclusive workforce development. Together, they share insights on how to design working conditions that support focus, reduce overwhelm, and unlock the strengths of neurodivergent team members. We cover: Misconceptions about neurodivergent professionals in IT Why traditional hiring processes often fail—and what to do instead Practical accommodations that benefit everyone, not just neurodivergent employees The role of leadership, communication, and flexibility in creating inclusive cultures If you are hiring for remote roles or leading distributed teams, this conversation offers a compelling reminder: supporting neurodivergent professionals is not about lowering expectations—it is about removing barriers to extraordinary talent. This episode is a supplement to our 15-part Head of Remote series, helping organisations build more human, effective, and remote-first operations. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/ 👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

In the final episode of the Head of Remote podcast series, Lisette Sutherland reflects on the insights shared by our expert guests and ties together the key themes of the series. From Peter Miscovich's perspective on the evolution of leadership to Kenneth Hellem's call for a paradigm shift in workplace culture, this episode highlights the transformative power of the Head of Remote role. As we wrap up this series, one thing is clear: the Head of Remote role is more than a job title—it's a movement. It's about embracing the future of work and leading with intention, compassion, and a commitment to flexibility. If there's one takeaway from these episodes, it's this: whether your company has a Head of Remote or not, anyone can champion flexible work. By focusing on connection, communication, and culture, we can build workplaces where everyone thrives. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I hope this series has inspired you, given you tools to take action, and opened your eyes to what's possible in a flexible-first world. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How does the workplace evolve to meet the demands of hybrid and distributed workforces? Peter Miscovich, global executive management consultant, future of work strategist, and co-author of The Workplace You Need Now, shares his visionary insights into how leadership, real estate, and technology are redefining the future of work. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Evolution of Leadership: Peter discusses the shift away from location-centric, command-and-control leadership styles to flexible, trust-based models suited for hybrid and distributed teams. - Reimagining Real Estate: Learn how organizations are transforming their workplaces to support new ways of working, focusing on employee experience, collaboration, and flexibility. - Emerging Technologies: From augmented reality to virtual reality, hear how cutting-edge tools are enabling innovation in industries like healthcare, crisis management, and beyond. - Looking Ahead: Peter shares his perspective on the future of work, leadership, and organizational transformation in a rapidly evolving world. 🎧 Tune in to this forward-thinking episode for inspiration on adapting to the future of work and actionable strategies to lead the way. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How can a Head of Remote act as the organizational glue that holds strategy, people, and processes together? Laurel Farrer, former Head of TeamOps at GitLab and internationally renowned thought leader, explains how this pivotal role shapes the future of work. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Head of Remote as Chief of Staff: Laurel describes how this role operates at the intersection of strategy and operations, sitting on the leadership team to guide productivity, sentiment, and engagement metrics. - Core Responsibilities: Hear how the Head of Remote influences tools, people, and processes while addressing proximity bias, hybrid operations, and talent acquisition challenges. - Skills for Success: Learn why exceptional communication, negotiation, and political savviness are essential for navigating this influential role. - Focus on DEI: Discover the importance of embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion policies into the core of hybrid and remote work practices. 🎧 Tune in to learn from Laurel's vast experience and gain practical advice for shaping impactful remote-first strategies. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How do you build a culture that thrives in a remote-first environment? Madison Crane, Head of Remote at The Remote Company, shares her approach to ensuring that distributed teams stay engaged, motivated, and aligned. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - Championing Remote-First Culture: Madison describes her role as the advocate for remote work within her company, ensuring that policies, practices, and tools support a seamless distributed experience. - Core Responsibilities: Learn about her work in hiring and onboarding, benefits management, offsite planning, and creating transparent, asynchronous communication systems. - Best Practices: Discover how Madison uses open metrics, an accessible company handbook, and regular workations to strengthen team alignment and morale. - Motivation and Communication: Hear her strategies for understanding what drives people and why focusing on clarity, simplicity, and accessibility in processes is key to remote success. 🎧 Tune in for actionable insights and proven strategies to champion remote-first principles in your organization. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How do organizations create effective systems for remote work while maintaining strong connections? Wayne Turmel, co-founder of The Remote Leadership Institute and co-author of The Long-Distance Leader and The Long-Distance Teammate, shares his decades of experience helping teams communicate, connect, and thrive in dispersed workplaces. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Head of Remote as a Diplomat: Wayne describes the Head of Remote as an "air traffic controller" and "high-level diplomat," balancing operational infrastructure and HR to ensure work flows effectively. - Essential Skills: Learn why building relationships, mastering negotiation, and giving visibility into metrics are critical for success in this role. - Visibility and Connection: Discover Wayne's advice on being the organization's "antennae" for remote work, staying connected to team needs and external trends. - Practical Steps: Hear why talking to as many people as possible, especially in person when feasible, is key to building a robust remote work culture. 🎧 Tune in for practical advice, thoughtful insights, and strategies to elevate your role in a remote-first world. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

What does it take to create a thriving remote work culture? Chris Dyer, bestselling author, speaker, and company culture expert, shares his wealth of experience in transforming organizations through exceptional leadership and innovative practices. With his signature 7 Pillar Strategy, Chris has helped countless companies unlock productivity, performance, and profits while fostering exceptional workplace cultures. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Role of a Head of Remote: Chris describes the Head of Remote as the "energy and spiritual guide" for being remote. They establish the rules, guardrails, and culture that enable teams to thrive. - Essential Practices: Explore why remote leaders need expertise in agile, lean, and asynchronous communication to succeed. - Training and Listening: Hear Chris's advice for new Heads of Remote, including the importance of listening deeply, talking to everyone, and using appreciative inquiry to uncover insights. - Building Meeting Culture: Discover how to create a meeting culture that enhances connection and collaboration in distributed teams. 🎧 Tune in to gain actionable tips from Chris's decades of experience, and learn how to become a leader who inspires lasting cultural transformation in your organization. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How does one build a workplace that balances culture, efficiency, and innovation in a remote-first world? Meet Joanne Barnett, a trailblazer in Future of Work strategies, as she shares her experiences driving exceptional culture, employee experience, and operational excellence in remote-first businesses. With her award-winning expertise, Joanne has helped organizations design sustainable, people-centric workplaces that thrive in today's distributed environment. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - What is a Head of Remote? Joanne breaks down the various components of this evolving role and its potential to sit within HR, Operations, or a hybrid of the two. - Building the Business Case: Learn why companies benefit from dedicated leadership for their remote work strategies and the specific responsibilities the role entails. - Overcoming Challenges: Explore how Joanne aligns stakeholders, handles resistance to remote work, and ensures team collaboration and connection. - Tools and Skills for Success: Discover the essential tools, skills, and mindset needed to thrive as a Head of Remote, and how to navigate the first 90 days in the role. - Face-to-Face Matters: Joanne shares her approach to balancing remote and in-person interactions to create deeper team connections. 🎧 Tune in to hear Joanne's practical advice on championing remote work, aligning individual and company goals, and paving the way for the future of work. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

What happens when a traditional industry embraces modern work practices? Join Grayson Harris, Flexible Work and Engagement Partner, as he shares his journey from designing wind and solar farms to pioneering flexible work strategies in his company. Inspired by his own experiences as a digital nomad, Grayson transitioned into a Head of Remote role, bringing fresh ideas and structured approaches to drive engagement and productivity in a hybrid workplace. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - Crafting the Role: How Grayson spent two years upskilling, creating internal committees, and pitching his vision to make the Head of Remote role a reality in his company. - Flexible Work in Action: Discover the methods Grayson uses to improve team connections, streamline documentation, and foster transparency. - Data-Driven Decisions: Learn how pulse surveys, stakeholder interviews, and flexible work assessments inform actionable changes. - The Power of Methodical Change: Why Grayson prioritizes small, incremental improvements to build a sustainable and engaged workplace culture. - Rebranding Remote Work: Shifting from "remote work" to "flexible work" to create a more inclusive and empowering approach for all employees. 🎧 Tune in to hear Grayson's innovative strategies for championing flexibility in a traditional industry and actionable insights you can apply to your own organization. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How do you lead a fully remote team while championing work-life integration and visible teamwork? Rowena Hennigan, Head of Remote at Nosana.io and founder of RoRemote, shares her journey as a remote work advocate, educator, and changemaker. With over 25 years of experience and a deep passion for the socioeconomic benefits of remote work, Rowena reveals how she helps organizations create impactful offsites, foster team cohesion, and model flexibility in action. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - Offsites with Impact: Why regular in-person gatherings are critical for remote team success and how to maximize their value. - Visible Teamwork: Learn Rowena's strategies for making collaboration and achievements visible across distributed teams. - The Power of Change Makers: How to inspire change within organizations by leading with care, best practices, and genuine connection. - Team Agreements and Meeting Etiquette: Practical advice on setting standards that improve communication and streamline collaboration. - The Human Side of Remote Leadership: Rowena's focus on well-being and work-life integration as a cornerstone of effective remote leadership. 🎧 Tune in to hear Rowena's journey, her passion for remote work's potential, and actionable steps to enhance connection and cohesion in your remote team. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How do you build thriving teams and create intentional connections in a rapidly scaling remote-first environment? Nadia Vatalidis, Interim Director of Talent Acquisition at Camunda and former VP of People at Remote.com, takes us behind the scenes of scaling teams from 70 to over 1,000 employees while maintaining culture, connection, and operational excellence. Her insights shine a light on the evolving role of Heads of Remote and how intentionality can transform distributed workplaces. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Evolving Role of the HOR: Is there room for both Heads of Remote and Operations? Nadia breaks down the essential responsibilities of the role and why remote-first must be integrated into the operations model. - First 90 Days as HOR: Why identifying the top priority and aligning stakeholders is critical for setting the foundation of success. - Practical Tool Use: Use tools for their intended purposes—Slack is for communication, not information storage. Nadia shares her perspective on the importance of fast documentation over perfection. - Creating Connection and Inclusion: How Remote.com evolved bonding time and social initiatives to build highly engaged, inclusive teams across diverse cultures. - Strategic Onboarding: Why onboarding must align with the tools employees will actually use and how this creates a self-enabled culture for success. 🎧 Tune in to hear Nadia's expertise on scaling teams, creating connection, and implementing a remote-first strategy that works for your organization. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

What does it take to drive organizational success as a Head of Product Excellence in a flexible-first environment? Valentina Thörner shares how she navigates the intersection of HR, operations, and leadership to optimize processes, empower teams, and create a culture of seamless collaboration at SCALAR. Her unique approach to remote work combines strategic insight with a human touch, offering invaluable advice for leaders and organizations embracing the future of work. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Remote-First Mindset: Why leadership buy-in is essential for success and how a flexible-first strategy requires deliberate change management. - Empowering Through Processes: How Valentina's team reduces friction and empowers product managers by optimizing workflows and developing clear operational strategies. - The Role of Authority and Influence: Why HORs must have authority to drive change effectively and how to navigate resistance with empathy and clarity. - Training Teams for Self-Sufficiency: The importance of teaching employees to find and use information independently. - Leadership Tips: How being outgoing, embracing your quirks, and recognizing patterns can enhance collaboration and build stronger connections in remote teams. 🎧 Tune in to hear Valentina's journey, learn about innovation through product excellence, and gain practical tips for leading in remote and hybrid environments. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How do you build a thriving remote workforce while maintaining a culture of engagement, well-being, and continuous learning? Kenneth Hellem, Chief People Officer at Ultimate Beauty, reveals his approach to leading a fully remote, people-first organization. Kenneth's work sits at the intersection of operations and people management, and his insights offer practical advice for anyone looking to create happier and more productive remote teams. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Role of Head of Remote: Why the position varies by company and how it bridges operations and people management. - Driving Change with Empathy: Kenneth's experimental approach to implementing remote best practices in communication, tools, and culture—while respecting organizational capacity for change. - Tracking Sentiment and Well-Being: The importance of listening to employee feedback and using sentiment tracking to gauge engagement and satisfaction. - Continuous Development: How to ensure remote employees are developing the skills they need to succeed and thrive in their roles. - Balancing Async and Sync Work: Tips for defining communication norms that enhance efficiency and connection. If you're navigating the challenges of remote work leadership, this episode offers actionable strategies and inspiration for creating a flexible-first workplace that prioritizes people and performance. 🎧 Tune in to hear Kenneth's journey, learn how Ultimate Beauty builds a people-first remote culture, and gain actionable strategies for making remote employees happier, healthier, and more engaged. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/ 👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

What does it take to lead a remote-first organization with 100+ professionals across 35 countries? In this episode, Chase Warrington, Head of Operations at Doist (the creators of Todoist and Twist), shares how he has helped shape a fully remote company that serves over 40 million customers in 19 languages. From building operational infrastructure to fostering a culture of transparency, Chase provides actionable insights for leaders navigating the complexities of flexible-first work. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - The Evolving Role of the Head of Remote: Learn how this role adapts based on a company's stage of growth and what Chase prioritized when he joined Doist. - Building the Foundations: Chase shares his approach to tools, handbooks, in-person meetups, and connecting team members across time zones. - Transparency in Communication: Why Doist makes information public by default and how this fosters trust and collaboration within a global workforce. - Operational Excellence: As an internal consultant, Chase collaborates with multiple teams to optimize onboarding, compensation, tooling, and processes. - The Soft Skills of Leadership: Receptiveness to feedback, the ability to push forward confidently, and caring deeply about people are the cornerstones of success in this role. 💡 Whether you're leading a fully distributed team or exploring remote-first practices, this conversation with Chase highlights how strategic operations and a human-first approach can transform an organization. Tune in to hear Chase's journey, learn how Doist thrives as a remote-first company, and gain inspiration for your own workplace flexibility initiatives. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/ 👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

How do you scale a remote-first company across 40+ countries while maintaining a results-driven, people-focused culture? In this episode, we dive deep with Dajana Berisavljević Đakonović, the Head of People at Toggl. With over eight years of People Ops experience, Dajana shares the lessons from Toggl's journey—from growing a fully distributed team to 130+ people to streamlining operations and prioritizing clarity, accountability, and well-being. 🚀 Key Insights and Highlights: - "Relevant Info Lives in Relevant Places": Why documentation is essential and how Toggl ensures it stays organized and accessible. - Managing the Tool Stack: How Toggl tracks and evaluates its tools with an open database and biannual cleanups to avoid tool fatigue. - Results & Accountability First: Learn about Toggl's unique approach to remote work, emphasizing self-discipline and written communication. - Creating Clarity and Authority: Dajana discusses why having the authority to enforce policies and standards is crucial for remote team alignment. 💡 Whether you're a Head of Remote, in People Ops, or a leader navigating remote work challenges, Dajana's no-fluff approach offers actionable strategies for building a transparent and effective remote culture. Listen now to discover how Toggl champions asynchronous collaboration, simplifies complexity, and ensures team engagement—without sacrificing results. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/  👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

Welcome to the first episode of the Head of Remote podcast! In this series, we'll explore one of the most transformative roles in the modern workplace: the Head of Remote. Remote work is more than a trend—it's a permanent shift in how we collaborate and connect. But to make it work, organizations need dedicated leadership to guide the cultural, operational, and behavioral changes that come with flexibility. That's where the Head of Remote comes in. In this episode, host Lisette Sutherland sets the stage for what's to come, diving into the purpose of this series and why the Head of Remote role is crucial for thriving in a flexible-first world. You'll hear insights from remote work pioneers like Nadia Vatalidis, Kenneth Hellem, and Laurel Farrer, who share their definitions of the role, key responsibilities, and the essential skills required for success. Tune in to kick off this journey and discover why the future of work starts here. 👉 Download the Head of Remote Quick Start Guide: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-guide/ 👉 Listen to the full podcast series: https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com/head-of-remote-podcast/

Understanding what we need to be productive isn't just about optimizing output; it's about crafting a lifestyle that aligns with our values and interests.   By identifying the specific conditions under which we thrive—be it the silence of an early morning, the dynamic buzz of a café, or the structured environment of an office—we can achieve our best work and live our best lives.   This self-knowledge is a foundation for building routines, choosing workspaces, and selecting tools that resonate with our personal and professional goals. For more stories of remote teams doing great things, visit https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com.

In this episode, we're returning to our conversation with Darren Murph, the Head of Remote at GitLab, originally recorded in July 2021. As we navigate the shifting landscapes of remote work in March 2024, Darren's insights on fostering company culture from a distance have only become more salient. This revisit highlights Darren's valuable strategies for cultivating a strong, unified company culture in remote settings and reflects on how these approaches have stood the test of time. Tune in to rediscover Darren's expert advice and explore how his wisdom continues to guide teams towards embracing and embodying their culture, no matter where they are. For more stories of remote teams doing great things, visit https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com.

In this episode of the Collaboration Superpowers podcast, we hosted esteemed guests David Horowitz, Esther Derby, and Diana Larsen. The conversation dived into the essence of conducting a successful remote agile retrospective, highlighting the importance of clear goals, structured feedback, and the engagement of all team members. Our guests shared common pitfalls in organizing retrospectives, such as lack of preparation and inadequate follow-up on action items. They reflected on their journey of writing and updating their seminal book on agile retrospectives, noting the adjustments made in the second edition to address changes in the agile landscape and incorporate new learnings. For more stories of remote teams doing great things, visit https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com.

In this episode, we explore the transformative impact of intentional teamwork in remote and hybrid environments. We discuss how deliberate collaboration, clear communication, and a shared vision can create a cohesive, productive team.   Learn how teams that collaborate with purpose and strategy can overcome the challenges of distance, utilize diverse strengths, and achieve extraordinary results. Listen in to discover how intentional collaboration can become your team's ultimate superpower in today's ever-changing work landscape. For more stories of remote teams doing great things, visit https://www.collaborationsuperpowers.com.