At Tulsa Remote, we believe in the power of community and the transformative impact remote work can have on one’s quality of life. That’s why our team recently joined other future work leaders in Lisbon, Portugal, for Running Remote 2024, the premier conference for remote-first and hybrid teams.
Our experience learning from some of the most innovative thought leaders in this space reaffirmed our commitment to giving individuals the freedom to work where they want to live, not live where they have to work. We left Lisbon with key takeaways, inspired to continue our mission of creating opportunities for remote professionals to find a sense of belonging, both in Tulsa and beyond.
1. Creating Connections
One of the most enriching aspects of our time at Running Remote was the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals who share our passion for remote work. From longtime supporters of the Tulsa Remote program to new acquaintances eager to learn more about Tulsa, we enjoyed connecting with other individuals committed to redefining the future of work.
2. Dinner + Dialogue on Offsite Planning:
While in Lisbon, we attended conference sessions and hosted a dinner, where we had the opportunity to learn from thought leaders in the distributed work and offsite planning space. It was insightful to hear from people like Chase Warrington, who plans over ten offsites a year for his team at Doist.
The takeaway from our conversations is that while flexibility matters, community and connection are the keys to fostering collaboration and engagement in the remote world. This affirms the work we do in Tulsa every day to intentionally create opportunities for remote workers to connect with each other and the Tulsa community outside of their 9-5s.
Over dinner, we dove into the specifics of what company leaders prioritize as they plan their offsites. We gained valuable knowledge that will undoubtedly shape our future work as we are considering opportunities for hosting offsites in Tulsa and creating new ways for remote workers to experience our city through the TulsaBound digital nomad program.
3. Learning from Distributed Work Leaders:
The Running Remote conference is the premier conference for remote-first and hybrid teams, focusing on the latest strategies and insights on flexible work, company culture, and more. We know that the best practices for remote work are not confined to a specific working model. They are, at their core, strong principles for people management that can transform any workplace. This is why, at Tulsa Remote, we’re excited to continue implementing these valuable insights for our own team and encourage other company leaders to do the same. By doing so, we can foster a productive, engaged, and satisfied workforce.
Below are just a few of the insights we learned from Annie Dean, the Global Head of Team Anywhere at Atlassian.
How Work Happens > Where Work Happens
We know the principles that make remote work successful aren't limited to a specific location or return-to-office policy - it's about how the work gets done. By prioritizing clear communication, setting measurable goals, and fostering a culture of trust, leaders can ensure their teams thrive regardless of their physical location.
Get Clear on Priorities for Every Individual
Every team member should understand their primary goals and how their work contributes to the organization's success. When individuals know what is expected of them, they can align their efforts more effectively with the team's overall objectives, leading to higher productivity and job satisfaction.
It's important to design your workday to maximize results. This might involve flexible working hours, dedicated time blocks for focused work, or shorter, more productive meetings. Leaders should encourage practices that help employees manage their energy and focus on high-impact tasks, fostering an environment where everyone can perform at their best.
4. Sharing Our Model for Talent Attraction:
Lastly, it was exciting to see the enthusiasm from fellow conference attendees who were eager to learn more about our talent attraction model and how they could replicate it in their own communities.
During my session, l shared our community-building strategies and our learnings on the pivotal role remote work and community can play in revitalizing economies, empowering individuals, and redefining the concept of life-work balance.
Interest in Tulsa's approach continues to underscore the global impact of the Tulsa Remote program, and we’re excited to continue supporting individuals and communities seeking to embrace remote work as a catalyst for growth and opportunity.
To learn more about how you can join us in Tulsa, visit our website below and sign up for updates.
