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Hybrid/Remote Centre of Excellence

Hybrid/Remote Centre of Excellence

By: Nola Simon
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 Formerly The Janus Oasis. Rebranding in progress. The Janus Oasis is a podcast where we talk about co-creating the future of work. How do we bring the best elements of corporate from the past into the future? How can we design a workplace that will allow employees to thrive and integrate their work into their lives? What will the corporation of the future look like more importantly, what will it feel like? Will the future be hybrid or will we be working remotely? How will the office be re-imagined. And how does that affect leadership process procedure? Employee engagement and retention. We'll talk about all aspects of life and work with interesting and creative people. I'm Nola Simon. I'm a change strategist and storyteller. I've worked some version of hybrid or remote since 2012, chatting is my super power. Let's chat.Nola Simon Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Presence, Work, and AI: Stories Beyond Location

    Presence, Work, and AI: Stories Beyond Location
    Aug 21 2025

    Got it — here’s a first-person version of your show notes that feels personal and directly connected to your voice:

    🎙️ Episode Title

    Presence, Work, and AI: Stories Beyond Location

    📖 Episode Summary

    In this episode of Hope & Possibilities: A Love Letter to the Future of Work, I dive into a theory I’ve been working on: our stories about work are deeply tied to presence—but not always in the ways we think.

    When I look back on my own career, most of my success stories didn’t happen in person. They happened over the phone, on a webinar, or through a screen. I rarely met my clients face-to-face, and yet that work shaped everything I achieved.

    Along the way, I’ve noticed how much physical presence—height, energy, laughter, even hair color—shapes the way people are recognized and valued at work. For some, being seen in person is essential. For others, like me, virtual spaces open up new ways to make an impact.

    Then there’s AI. If AI doesn’t rely on presence at all, what does that mean for how we define influence, storytelling, and success in the workplace of the future?

    This episode is an invitation: to rethink the stories you tell about your own work, and to explore what presence really means beyond location.

    🗝️ Key Themes

    • How my career stories evolved outside of physical presence

    • Why energy, visibility, and recognition feel different in person vs. virtual

    • The role of autonomy in choosing how and where we work

    • What’s missing from the “return to office” conversation

    • How AI challenges our assumptions about presence and influence

    💡 What You’ll Take Away

    • How to notice whether your influence depends on being in the room—or not

    • Why remote work fuels some people and drains others

    • How storytelling reveals hidden biases in work culture

    • What AI might mean for the future of presence

    📣 Your Stories Matter

    I’d love to hear from you.

    • Has working in person been essential to your success?

    • Or has working virtually allowed you to thrive in ways you couldn’t before?

    Send me your story at nola@nolasimon.com or visit nolasimon.com.

    🔗 Connect with Me

    • Website: nolasimon.com

    • LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nolasimon

    Do you want me to also condense this into a 2–3 sentence teaser (ideal for Spotify/Apple Podcasts where space is limited)?
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    22 mins
  • Podcasting as Leadership

    Podcasting as Leadership
    Jun 24 2025
    **Podcasting as Leadership and Cultural Stewardship** Podcasting isn’t just a marketing tool for me—it’s a form of leadership and cultural stewardship. I’ve learned since 2021 that holding the mic comes with real ethical responsibility. I’m not just shaping conversations; I’m shaping culture. What I choose to amplify, who I invite, and how I edit all have long-term impact. **How I Choose and Work With Guests** I’m a big believer in trust and long-term relationships. I follow people for years, watching for consistency and authenticity before I invite them on. Cold pitches almost never make it through. Most of my guests are referrals from people I already respect. Sometimes, even after all that, the fit isn’t perfect—and that’s okay. I value ongoing connections, but I also respect when someone moves on. **Editing, Consent, and Representation** I want my guests to feel comfortable and represented well, but I also believe in showing people as they are. If a guest checks their phone mid-interview or delivers a lecture instead of a conversation, I’ll often leave that in. That’s who they chose to be in that moment. I do sometimes edit or delete content at a guest’s request, especially if it’s sensitive or could impact their reputation. I’m always thinking about the ethics of what stories are mine to tell and how to share them with respect. **Learning From Mistakes and Staying Accountable** I don’t always get it right. There have been times when I missed red flags or didn’t do enough research across all platforms. When that happens, I reflect and adjust my approach. I use transcripts to review my own performance and look for ways to improve as a host. **Navigating Tough Topics and AI Bias** I’m not afraid to talk about hard things—whether it’s microaggressions at work, mental health, or the risks of AI amplifying dominant narratives and erasing marginalized voices. I know these conversations have real consequences, and I try to handle them with care, nuance, and honesty. **Duty of Care and the Power of Editing** Publishing an episode isn’t just about getting content out there. Sometimes, caring for a guest means not publishing something at all—especially if I think they’re vulnerable or not making decisions in their own best interest. That’s not censorship; that’s care. **Sponsorship and Independence** Right now, I’m my own sponsor. I’d love to find a partner who shares my values and commitment to honest, courageous leadership—but I won’t compromise my message or let a sponsor dictate what I say. If you think your brand is up for that, let’s talk. **My Commitment** Every guest, every question, every edit, every silence—it all builds culture. My goal is to be trustworthy and to support conversations about the future of work from all perspectives. I call this podcast a love letter to the future of work because I’m optimistic that together, we can create healthier, more sustainable work cultures. I won’t always get it right, but I’m committed to learning, growing, and leading with integrity. **Thank You** Thanks for listening. If you have feedback, want to connect, or just want to share your thoughts, I’d love to hear from you. And if you feel like leaving a review or rating, that would mean a lot to me. Top 5 Questions I’m Asking Myself How do I decide whose voice gets a platform, and what messages am I choosing to amplify? This question gets to the heart of my role as a host and the impact my choices have on shaping culture and conversation. Am I doing enough due diligence when I vet potential guests—across all their public platforms and not just the ones I’m most comfortable with? I’ve learned the hard way that consistency across platforms matters, and that I need to check for alignment of values everywhere, not just on LinkedIn or the spaces I frequent. How do I balance presenting my guests in a positive light with representing them authentically—even when their choices or behavior during the interview are unexpected or disappointing? This is an ongoing challenge, especially when a guest’s actions don’t align with the tone or values I want to uphold for my audience. What are my ethical responsibilities when telling stories that involve others, especially when those stories touch on sensitive topics or could have unintended consequences? I constantly ask myself if it’s my story to tell, how to convey it with respect, and when it’s better to edit or delete content out of care rather than censorship. How do I maintain integrity and independence in my work—especially when considering sponsorships or partnerships that might not fully align with my values or vision for the future of work? I’m committed to only working with brands that share my commitment to courageous, honest leadership, even if that means going it alone.
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    37 mins
  • Skills Based Hiring: Is What You Can Do Who You Are?

    Skills Based Hiring: Is What You Can Do Who You Are?
    Jun 19 2025
    Summary: Skill-Based Job Setups, AI, Identity, and Team Dynamics 1. AI and Skill Identification in Organizations AI-Driven Talent Management: Organizations are increasingly using AI to analyze employee data, identify hidden skills, and match people to new roles or projects. This helps optimize workforce deployment and supports upskilling initiatives. Benefits: AI enables more efficient talent placement, better prediction of future skill needs, and proactive workforce development. Concerns: Reliance on AI raises privacy issues and ethical concerns about how personal data is used. It may also challenge employees’ sense of identity if they feel reduced to a set of data points. 2. Professional Identity and Personal Identity at Work Identity Matters: People often define themselves by their profession (“I’m a writer,” “I’m an accountant”). This professional identity is closely tied to personal identity and self-worth. Challenges of Skill-Based Assignments: When work is assigned solely based on skills, employees may feel their professional identity is diluted or undervalued. This can impact job satisfaction and motivation. Psychological Impact: Research shows that a strong, positive professional identity is linked to higher job satisfaction and commitment. However, over-identifying with work can be unhealthy if work becomes the sole source of identity. 3. Upskilling and Employee Autonomy Upskilling Benefits: Upskilling is more efficient than hiring for specific skills and helps organizations adapt to changing needs. It also supports employee growth and retention. Autonomy is Key: Employees value the ability to choose projects and roles that align with their interests. Organizations that offer autonomy see higher engagement, innovation, and satisfaction. Whole-Person Approach: Organizations should treat employees as individuals with unique skills, interests, and aspirations, not just as interchangeable resources. 4. Personal Preferences vs. Skills Skills Alone Aren’t Enough: Just because someone is skilled at a task doesn’t mean they enjoy it. Personal preferences, passions, and emotional well-being are critical for motivation and job satisfaction. Alignment is Essential: Assigning work that aligns with both skills and interests leads to higher productivity and fulfillment. Ignoring preferences can result in disengagement and burnout. 5. Challenges in Skill-Based Organizations Resistance to Change: Shifting from traditional job roles to skill-based setups can be met with resistance from both employees and managers. Skill Visibility: Many organizations lack a clear understanding of the skills within their workforce, making it difficult to implement effective skill-based strategies. Legacy Practices: Outdated compensation, performance management, and promotion systems can hinder the transition to skill-based models. 6. Team Dynamics and Workplace Culture Beyond Skills: Successful teams require more than just compatible skills. Interpersonal dynamics, shared values, and a positive culture are essential for collaboration and productivity. Risk of Dysfunction: Focusing only on skills can lead to dysfunctional teams and toxic work environments if team members don’t work well together. Inclusive Environments: Organizations that consider both skills and team dynamics are more likely to create inclusive, positive workplaces where employees thrive. Conclusion Skill-based job setups and upskilling offer significant advantages for organizations, including better talent placement, higher retention, and greater agility. However, these benefits can only be fully realized if organizations also consider the importance of professional identity, employee autonomy, personal preferences, and team dynamics. By balancing skill optimization with a holistic understanding of employees as individuals, organizations can create healthier, more productive workplaces where both people and businesses thrive. Related Hope & Possibilities podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hilke-schellmann-the-algorithm-how-ai-decides-who/id1602822494?i=1000676720895 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sweta-regmi-bias-in-ai-how-does-ai-impact-job-seekers/id1602822494?i=1000633404352 Deloitte Skills-based organizations | Deloitte Insights Training Industry, Inc Bridging the Skills Gap: The Role of AI in Workforce Education LACE Partners Can employees embrace the shift to a skills-based organisation ... American Public University The Importance of Upskilling for Future Professional Growth Here are the research links by themselves: https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/talent/organizational-skill-based-hiring.html https://trainingindustry.com/articles/...
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    6 mins
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