Is Your Hybrid Work Strategy a Mule or a Platypus?

09/23/24 • 19 min

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast

Wayne Turmel and Marisa Eikenberry dive into the hybrid work debate, comparing two very unlikely animals: mules and platypuses. Wayne introduces his humorous yet insightful analogy, explaining how a “mule” model of hybrid work is intentional and strategic, while a “platypus” model is a chaotic, unplanned combination of different parts.

They discuss the challenges many organizations face when trying to make hybrid work “work” and provide practical advice on moving from a disjointed model to one that serves both teams and the business. With the rapid evolution of remote and hybrid environments, the question becomes: is your team a well-planned mule or a hodgepodge platypus?

Key Takeaways

What hybrid work really means and why most companies are just coping rather than strategizing.
The difference between a mule and platypus approach in hybrid work.
How strategic hybrid teams balance not only where but also when work happens.
Practical steps to move from a platypus hybrid model to a mule-like, intentional approach.
The importance of understanding both asynchronous and synchronous work in a hybrid setting.

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction 01:05 Hybrid Work Explained 02:30 Mules vs. Platypuses 04:20 The Platypus Problem 06:10 What Makes a Good “Mule” Hybrid Model? 08:45 Hybrid Work Strategies 10:30 Asynchronous Work and Its Benefits 12:00 Building Intentional Hybrid Teams 14:00 Steps to Transition from Platypus to Mule 16:40 Closing

Related Episodes

Additional Resources

Order The Long-Distance Leader

Perfect your remote leadership skills with the updated edition of "The Long-Distance Leader" by Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel, featuring new principles and proven strategies for today's hybrid work environments. https://longdistanceworklife.com/LDL

Your Hosts

Wayne Turmel: Master Trainer and Coach for The Kevin Eikenberry Group, co-author of The Long-Distance Leader: Rules for Remarkable Remote Leadership and The Long-Distance Teammate: Stay Engaged and Connected While Working Anywhere, and trainer of remote teams for over twenty years. Read More...

Marisa Eikenberry: Web developer, podcast editor, and technology support specialist for The Kevin Eikenberry Group. Has worked on a hybrid team for over 9 years. Read more...

Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review!

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Key Takeaways

What hybrid work really means and why most companies are just coping rather than strategizing.
The difference between a mule and platypus approach in hybrid work.
How strategic hybrid teams balance not only where but also when work happens.
Practical steps to move from a platypus hybrid model to a mule-like, intentional approach.
The importance of understanding both asynchronous and synchronous work in a hybrid setting.

Timestamps

Related Episodes

Additional Resources

Order The Long-Distance Leader

Your Hosts

Marisa Eikenberry: Web developer, podcast editor, and technology support specialist for The Kevin Eikenberry Group. Has worked on a hybrid team for over 9 years. Read more...

Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review!

Connect with us:

Instagram:

Previous Episode

Using DISC Assessments for Better Remote Teamwork with Guy Harris

Wayne Turmel welcomes Guy Harris, co-author of From Bud to Boss with Kevin Eikenberry and the expert behind DISC assessments at DISCpersonalitytesting.com. Guy shares insights into how DISC assessments can help remote teams communicate better, understand different behavior styles, and improve collaboration. Wayne and Guy explore common misuses of these assessments, how they can be effectively applied in leadership, and the unique challenges remote leaders face when interpreting team dynamics. Tune in for actionable tips on using DISC in a remote or hybrid work environment.

Key Takeaways

Introduction to DISC assessments and their relevance to remote work
The value of behavior-based assessments in team dynamics
Misconceptions and misuse of DISC assessments
How DISC can help prevent misunderstandings in remote teams
Why understanding different communication styles is critical for remote leadership
Using DISC to guide, not judge, remote team members
The importance of avoiding exclusion in remote teams
Practical tips for applying DISC to remote leadership

Timestamps 0:00 Intro: Guy Harris & DISC Assessments 1:35 What is the DISC assessment? 2:50 Why DISC matters in leadership and remote teams 4:10 Preventing misunderstandings with DISC 5:45 Common mistakes when using DISC 7:00 Applying DISC to remote team leadership 8:35 Avoiding exclusion in remote teams 10:05 How to use DISC reports for team building 11:45 New Book: The Long-Distance Leader 12:50 Final thoughts and links

Related Episodes

Additional Resources

Subscribe to Long-Distance Worklife wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review!

Connect with us:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/longdistanceworklife/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2P22kW5iaX8zU3B0-HVCUA Website: https://longdistanceworklife.com/ TikTok:

Next Episode

Why Virtual Reality Could Be the Key to Remote Team Engagement with Dan O’Connell

Wayne Turmel sits down with Dan O'Connell, co-founder of BrandLab360, to explore the innovative world of virtual workplaces and how they are reshaping remote work. Dan shares insights into their platform, Virtual HQ, and how it allows teams to collaborate in immersive, 3D environments without the need for VR headsets. They discuss the evolution of remote work tools, the advantages of avatar-based interactions, and the gamification of work to keep employees engaged. Wayne and Dan also dive into the psychological benefits of these virtual spaces and how they compare to traditional video calls like Zoom and Teams.

Key Takeaways

How BrandLab360 evolved from fashion showrooms to virtual workspaces.
The unique features of Virtual HQ and why it stands out from other remote tools.
The psychological and social advantages of using avatars in remote meetings.
Why companies should consider gamification in remote work environments.
The potential future of hybrid work in the metaverse.

Timestamps

0:00 Introduction to Dan O'Connell and Virtual HQ 2:00 How Virtual HQ is Different from Zoom and Teams 4:45 The Importance of Human Relationships in Virtual Spaces 7:30 Gamification and Fun in Remote Work 10:30 Why Avatar-Based Meetings are More Engaging 14:00 Overcoming Tech Barriers for Virtual Workspaces 17:00 Features to Look for in a Virtual Office Platform 20:00 Closing Thoughts and Where to Learn More

Related Episodes

Additional Resources

Long-Distance Worklife - A Hybrid & Remote Work Podcast - Is Your Hybrid Work Strategy a Mule or a Platypus?

Transcript

00:00:07.873

Welcome back to the. Long distance work life. We help you live, work and thrive in remote and hybrid teams. I'm Marissa Eikenberry, a fellow remote worker, and joining me is my co-host and remote work expert, Winter Bell. Hi, Lynn. Hello, Marissa. How are you? I'm great. How are you? I am fine. For the uninitiated, we are recording this on the Friday before a long weekend and things may get silly. Is. We're ready to go. But anyway, we're also talking about something s