Remote work has revolutionized the professional landscape, and few understand this better than Cristi Tobelmann, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at DaySmart Software. In a recent interview with me, Tobelmann shared her perspectives on how remote work fosters inclusivity and trust, drawing from her extensive experience in HR leadership and her role at DaySmart, a global software platform headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan. With employees spread across more than ten countries, DaySmart’s success in remote work offers valuable lessons for businesses navigating the evolving work environment.
The Power of Inclusivity
For Tobelmann, one of the most significant benefits of remote work is inclusivity. “Being able to cast a wide talent net helps us hire and retain the best talent,” she explained. This inclusivity is not just about geography; it extends to various demographic groups. Remote work offers unparalleled flexibility for working parents, especially mothers, by providing the balance needed to juggle professional and personal responsibilities. “As a working mom, having remote work is very beneficial,” she said, highlighting her passion for keeping mothers in the workforce.
Inclusivity also breaks down barriers for people with disabilities. Remote work reduces the challenges posed by transportation and accessibility, making it easier for individuals with disabilities to participate in the workforce. Furthermore, it caters to the preferences of introverts who may find traditional office settings overwhelming. “Being able to have your own comfort zone and work setup eliminates some of the nervousness or anxiety that you may have in a physical office,” Tobelmann noted.
Trust and Autonomy: The Backbone of Innovation
Tobelmann emphasized that trust and autonomy are crucial for a thriving remote work environment. “Remote work gives employees the feeling that we trust them—how they get their work done, where they get their work done,” she stated. This trust is particularly vital for a tech workforce that needs to be innovative and come up with new solutions.
One of the key advantages of remote work, according to Tobelmann, is the opportunity for uninterrupted “flow time.” This uninterrupted time is essential for deep, thoughtful work, whether it’s software coding for engineers or financial analysis for data professionals. “Being able to have uninterrupted time is really important if you’re doing deep thinking work,” she remarked, contrasting this with the constant social interactions typical of an office environment.
Overcoming Challenges in Remote Work
While remote work offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges, particularly in fostering creativity and innovation. Tobelmann acknowledged that forming close relationships can be more difficult when interactions are limited to project-based meetings or virtual communications. “You have to really take the time and attention to build relationships,” she advised, emphasizing the importance of understanding customers and employees deeply to come up with creative solutions.
Cultural challenges and miscommunications are also potential pitfalls in a dispersed workforce. Time zone differences and varying cultural norms can complicate collaboration. Written communication, which lacks the nuance of face-to-face interactions, can lead to misunderstandings. “It’s hard to always convey the emotion that you want in a written word,” Tobelmann pointed out.
Strategies for Building Relationships
Building relationships in a remote setting requires intentional effort. Tobelmann explained that successful remote leadership cannot operate on autopilot. Managers must actively invest in developing their team’s strengths, recognizing their contributions, and maintaining regular communication. “You have to intentionally set time aside for communication and team building,” she emphasized.
To address the challenge of forming close relationships, DaySmart has implemented various strategies. These include using technology tools like Slack and Donut to facilitate random conversations and pairing employees for virtual coffee chats. The senior leadership team also engages in small group chats and “ask me anything” sessions to foster a sense of connection. “Lowering the threshold for interaction makes it more likely for folks to join in, especially younger employees,” Tobelmann noted.
Enhancing Creativity Through Virtual Activities
Innovation often stems from casual interactions and weak ties between employees. To promote these interactions, DaySmart has explored various virtual activities. These include virtual coffee hours, where employees are randomly paired for casual chats, and group activities like video game sessions, virtual movie watching, and virtual escape rooms. “These activities help build bonds across groups and facilitate creativity and innovation,” Tobelmann explained.
Technology plays a crucial role in these efforts. Instant messaging platforms and chatbots can facilitate conversations, while outside facilitators can lead icebreaker activities to encourage team bonding. These initiatives are particularly important for younger employees who may have limited experience with physical office environments.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Remote Work
As DaySmart continues to refine its remote work culture, Tobelmann is excited about the potential for new developments in flexible work. One area she is particularly passionate about is integrating well-being into work practices. “In order to be really creative and innovative at work, we have to also feed ourselves as well,” she said, highlighting the importance of mindfulness and self-care.
Innovative research and management practices that blend well-being with professional development are emerging as key trends. Universities are beginning to incorporate these concepts into their curricula, recognizing the link between personal well-being and professional productivity. “Well-being is the key to unlocking our future potential in flexible work,” Tobelmann asserted.
Conclusion
As remote work continues to evolve, companies like DaySmart are leading the way by fostering inclusivity, trust, and creativity. By addressing the challenges and embracing the opportunities of remote work, they are setting a blueprint for the future of work in a global, interconnected world, and I will be sharing Tobelmann’s words of wisdom with my clients who I am helping overcome the frustrations associated with refining their hybrid work models.
About the Author
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky was named “Office Whisperer” by The New York Times for helping leaders overcome frustrations with hybrid work and Generative AI. He serves as the CEO of the future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. Dr. Gleb wrote seven best-selling books, and his two most recent ones are Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams and ChatGPT for Thought Leaders and Content Creators: Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI for Innovative and Effective Content Creation. His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interviews in Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, CBS News, Fox News, Time, Business Insider, Fortune, The New York Times, and elsewhere. His writing was translated into Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Korean, French, Vietnamese, German, and other languages. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking and training for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist, with 8 years as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and 7 years as a professor at Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio.
