Episode 39

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Published on:

13th May 2025

Rethinking the Remote vs. In-Office Work Debate with Jessica Jones

Join Jason for an enlightening conversation with Jessica Jones, Executive Vice President of People and Culture at Emprise Bank. Jessica reflects on her evolution from being a strong advocate for remote-first work to recognizing how hybrid and in-person work, when grounded in intention and clarity, can enhance belonging, innovation, and team trust.

 

Together, they explore the risks of reactive policies and examine what today’s employees are truly seeking: not just remote work, but authentic flexibility.

 

Key lessons highlighted in our conversation include:

👉 Start with strategy: Align workplace policies with your organization’s unique business needs, rather than following trends or executive preferences.

 

👉 Be clear and intentional: Communicate the ‘why’ behind workforce decisions to ensure employees understand and not just comply with organizational choices.

 

👉 Flexibility is fundamental: Employees crave autonomy and flexibility; when that’s missing, “return to office” feels like punishment, not opportunity.

 

👉 Invest in what matters: Whether in-office or remote, invest in equipping managers, supporting employee well-being, and building spaces (physical or virtual) that build collaboration.

 

👉 One size does not fit all: Tailor approaches to different roles and locations; balance recruiting needs, development opportunities, and business impact.

 

Jessica’s perspective will challenge and inspire you to think differently about your own organization’s approach to culture, connection, and the future of work.

 

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Connect with Jessica Jones

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-jones-b1681193/

 

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JOIN THOUSANDS OF LEADERS WHO ARE HARNESSING THE POWER OF RELATIONSHIPS AT WORK.

Subscribe to our newsletter:

https://jasonlauritsen.ck.page/950d3cff1f

 

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Connect with Jason:

Website: https://jasonlauritsen.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JasonLauritsenVideo

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlauritsen/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/jasonlauritsen/

 

#HRLeadership #EmployeeExperience #WorkplaceCulture #FutureOfWork #PeopleFirst #HybridWork #Inclusion #LeadershipDevelopment

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About the Podcast

Unlocking High Performance
How leaders unlock performance by creating the conditions for people to do their best work
Unlocking High Performance is a podcast for leaders who want strong results without burning their people out in the process.

Hosted by Jason Lauritsen, the show explores how clarity, alignment, and connection shape performance at work. Jason draws from his work with CEOs, executive teams, and leaders to examine why work so often becomes heavier, slower, and more frustrating than it needs to be and how to fix it.

Some episodes are solo reflections. Others are conversations with leaders and practitioners navigating real constraints and consequences. Each conversation looks beyond tactics to understand the leadership and organizational conditions that make performance possible.

The podcast focuses on the systems that drive performance, not leadership theory or quick fixes. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how work actually gets done and how to build environments where people perform at their best.

About your host

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Jason Lauritsen