Did Remote Work Fail?
Or Did Companies Just Fail at Remote Work?
For years, companies have debated the future of remote work. Some embraced it. Others resisted. And many just went remote without truly adapting—lifting and shifting their office culture onto Zoom and calling it a day. Now, as more organizations push for return-to-office (RTO) policies, one big question remains:
Did remote work actually fail, or did most companies just fail at remote work?
🎙️ In Episode 5 of Leadership Explored, we dive into the reality of remote-first organizations, the biggest challenges they face, and what it truly takes to make remote work work.
The Illusion of Going Remote
When the pandemic hit, remote work wasn’t a strategic choice—it was a necessity. But most companies didn’t actually become remote-first. They just moved their existing in-office habits to a virtual space and hoped for the best.
The result?
❌ Endless Zoom meetings with no real improvement in communication.
❌ A reliance on “tribal knowledge” instead of structured documentation.
❌ Leaders failing to design for remote success—then blaming remote work when things went wrong.
It’s no wonder so many are now calling employees back to the office.
Remote Work Can Succeed—But It Requires Intentionality
Remote-first isn’t just about where people work—it’s about how work is done. Organizations that succeed in remote work don’t just let people work from home. They redesign their approach to communication, collaboration, and culture.
✅ Intentional Communication: If a meeting was bad in person, it’s even worse on Zoom. Companies need to rethink how they collaborate asynchronously, structure meetings effectively, and reduce unnecessary calls.
✅ Culture Built for Remote Success: Remote teams need clarity, not just flexibility. Without structured workflows, clear expectations, and strong documentation, confusion takes over.
✅ In-Person Time Still Matters: Even fully remote teams should invest in occasional in-person gatherings. A few well-planned touchpoints per year can sustain relationships and alignment for months.
💡 “A bad meeting in the office is still a bad meeting on Zoom—it’s just more painful. Remote work doesn’t create bad communication, it amplifies the flaws that were already there.” — Ed Schaefer, Leadership Explored
What’s Next for Remote Work?
As the RTO debate continues, the question isn’t whether remote work can succeed—it’s whether leaders are willing to adapt.
🎧 In Episode 5, we unpack what it takes to create a remote-first culture that actually works, covering:
Why most companies never truly transitioned to remote-first
The biggest mistakes leaders make in remote work environments
How documentation and meeting culture impact remote success
Why in-person connection still matters—even for distributed teams
🔗 Listen to Episode 5 now: leadershipexploredpod.com
What’s your take? Have you seen remote work done right, or has it been a struggle? Drop a comment below and let’s discuss! 🚀