Work From Anywhere

Work From Anywhere: The Essential Guide to Becoming a World-Class Hybrid Team

About the Author

Alison Hill and Darren Hill are accomplished authors, behavioral experts, and fast-growth business leaders. Alison Hill is a registered psychologist and CEO of Pragmatic Thinking, a behavior and motivation strategy company. Darren Hill is a behavioral scientist with postgraduate qualifications in management communications and co-founder of Pragmatic Thinking. Together, they help organizations build better leaders by focusing on performance and people.

Main Idea

Work From Anywhere by Alison Hill and Darren Hill delivers practical strategies for developing a high-performing team and business in a remote, distributed environment. The book focuses on the unique psychology, methodology, and technology that make hybrid teams excel, emphasizing the importance of performance, culture, and autonomy.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The World Has Shifted
3. Building Your WFA Philosophy
4. The Call to Adventure
5. Navigating the Communication Quagmire
6. Charting the Course
7. Tackling the Toolbox
8. Confronting the Challenges
9. Sources of Strength
10. Slaying the Beasts
11. The Adventures That Await
12. Level Up to the Next Adventures

Introduction

The global pandemic ushered in a new reality of remote work—a trend that is likely here to stay. Work From Anywhere explores how to create effective strategies for hybrid and remote teams, focusing on performance and people. It emphasizes that working from anywhere is not just an HR conversation but an executive one.

"Working from anywhere is no longer just an HR conversation; it’s an executive conversation." – Alison Hill

The authors discuss how the shift to remote work has fundamentally changed workplace behavior and standards, making it essential for organizations to adapt and embrace this new model.

The World Has Shifted

Organizations must adapt to the new reality of work from anywhere (WFA). This approach requires a change in perspective and belief, focusing on the possibilities and benefits of remote work rather than viewing it as a temporary solution.

• WFA is possible: Embrace the challenges and learn from them.
• We can do this: Believe in the collective ability to succeed.
• It’s worth it: Recognize the long-term benefits of WFA.

By shifting beliefs about work, leaders can create a thriving and autonomous work environment that enhances performance and cultural togetherness.

Building Your WFA Philosophy

Creating a successful WFA team requires a philosophy built on three pillars: performance, culture, and autonomy. These pillars provide a framework for strong, meaningful conversations within teams and organizations.

"Performance provides a platform for culture within teams." – Darren Hill

• Performance: Focus on clear performance standards and measurements.
• Culture: Develop a dynamic and evolving culture aligned with organizational values.
• Autonomy: Allow team members the freedom to choose how they achieve results.

Performance, culture, and autonomy are equally important and interdependent. This philosophy enables teams to have meaningful discussions about what matters, how to measure success, and how to support individual growth.

The Call to Adventure

Embarking on the WFA journey creates energy and motivation. Leaders must recognize and navigate the phases of motivation, from the initial excitement to the inevitable dip, by having normalizing conversations and doubling down on progress.