Ep 56: Remote, Hybrid, In-Office

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Guest Bio:

Michael Franco is an Organizational Design strategist helping startups build and realign teams for clarity, connection, and scale. After consulting for brands like Coca-Cola and Wells Fargo, he now focuses on growing early-stage companies. As founder of Quokka Hub, he leads with scalable people strategies focused on communication, alignment, and culture.

Follow Michael Franco on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelrfranco

Episode Highlights:

Communication and Connection in the Modern Workplace

In a world where workforces are scattered across different offices, time zones, and even countries, clear communication has become both more challenging and more crucial than ever. The traditional 9-to-5 workday is rapidly becoming a relic of the past, and companies are grappling with how to maintain team connection and productivity in this new landscape. Michael Franco, an organizational design strategist and the founder of Quokka Hub, joins us to discuss how companies can better navigate this "messy" environment. His insights emphasize that a one-size-fits-all approach is no longer effective and that flexibility is the key to success.

A Chicago and Los Angeles native, Michael’s career took him to Australia, where he was asked to head up the HR for a company he intended to volunteer for. He ended up starting his own consulting firm, which he named Quokka Hub after the quokka, a small, smiley, and communal marsupial found on Rottnest Island. Michael says he chose the name because it embodies what a team should be: happy and working together. This passion for creating positive team dynamics eventually led him to New Zealand and the Netherlands before returning to the States, where he now focuses on helping startups build a strong, scalable culture from the ground up.

The Flaws of the Return-to-Office Mandate

While many companies are pushing for a return-to-office (RTO) mandate, Michael believes this approach is often "set up to fail." The core issue, he argues, is a lack of flexibility. Most employees who enjoy being in the office don't want to be there for a rigid 9-to-5 schedule, especially if it involves a long commute. The forced "whiplash" of going from remote work during the pandemic to a rigid office schedule ignores how people actually perform their best. Instead of focusing on "time in seat" as a measure of productivity, companies should empower managers to evaluate the quality of work. Michael suggests that a hybrid model, which offers employees the flexibility to work when and where they are most productive, is the clear future of the workplace.

The Power of Clarity

A key solution to the complexities of a hybrid or remote workforce is clarity. He shares an example of a client—a global marketing agency with employees in different countries—that was struggling with communication. By implementing a single, centralized tool like ClickUp, the company was able to streamline all communication and project management into one location. This eliminated wasted time and frustration from employees having to check multiple platforms. The results were dramatic: within one quarter, the company saw a 12.6% improvement in team connection, an 18.1% improvement in leadership communication, and a 29.8% improvement in work-life balance. This shows that simply aligning where communication happens can lead to huge jumps in employee engagement and productivity.

Fostering Connection Through Asynchronous Fun

Beyond the practical tools, asynchronous activities can be a big drive for genuine human connection. Ideally, activities should be fun and low-pressure, that employees can engage with on their own time, without the need for a mandatory video call. These can include guessing a movie from three emojis, sending in baby photos for a "guess the baby" game, or doing an "MTV Cribs" style tour of their home desk. These activities allow employees to get a small, personal glimpse into their coworkers' lives, helping to build bonds that don't rely on being in the same physical space. By embracing these constraints, companies can create a strong, connected culture that is both productive and enjoyable for all employees.

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