Innovative Work Models for a Changing Future

According to a 2024 McKinsey report, organizations that embrace flexible work models are 28% more likely to outperform their peers in employee engagement and productivity. The lesson is clear: the companies that thrive in the future will be those that redesign not just schedules, but the very systems that underpin how work gets done.

On The Bliss Business Podcast, we spoke with Chris Dyer, culture catalyst, entrepreneur, and author of The Power of Company Culture and Remote Work. Chris has been recognized as a top global thought leader on leadership and employee engagement, and his companies have been named to the Inc. 5000 list five times. His insights reveal how leaders can move from outdated control models to cultures of trust, transparency, and agility.

From Control to Trust

Chris shared that his wake-up call came during the 2008 recession. His company had grown rapidly, but the systems he used to manage a small office failed when applied to thousands of employees. The experience forced him to reevaluate leadership from the ground up, ultimately leading him to a people-centric approach.

For him, the foundational shift is moving away from control and toward trust. That means creating radical transparency across teams—making goals, challenges, and even profit-and-loss statements visible. When employees understand the bigger picture, they not only align with company success but also step up with creative ideas. As Chris noted, when he began sharing financial data, profitability increased by 35% in a single year.

Leaving Old Models Behind

Many organizations still treat remote and hybrid work like an in-office model transplanted into Zoom or Teams. Chris likened this to putting a saddle on the first automobile: an attempt to make new tools fit old habits. True innovation comes when leaders reimagine meetings, communication, and decision-making for distributed teams rather than replicating outdated practices.

For example, he argues that traditional one-on-one meetings between managers and employees often create bottlenecks. Instead, shifting to team accountability meetings speeds up decision-making and empowers individuals to lead without waiting for managerial approval.

Building Cultures of Agility

Chris emphasized that agility is not an all-or-nothing leap. Leaders must meet people where they are, guiding them gradually toward greater autonomy. He recommended cultivating “champions” within teams who embrace change quickly, then encouraging them to influence slower adopters. This accelerates cultural transformation without leaders having to push every step.

He also noted that purpose plays a critical role in uniting distributed or asynchronous teams. For some employees, company purpose connects directly to the mission. For others, especially in different regions, purpose may be rooted in providing stability for their families. Leaders must recognize and honor both primary and “sub-purposes” to ensure alignment across cultures.

Preparing for Accelerated Change

With AI adoption moving faster than any previous technology, Chris warned that the pace of change will only accelerate. He believes the most important skill organizations can build today is not technical—it is adaptability. Helping employees shed outdated habits, embrace experimentation, and view change as an opportunity will be the key differentiator in the years ahead.

Key Takeaways

• Flexible work models increase engagement and productivity by 28%.
• Radical transparency—sharing goals and financials—boosts trust and performance.
• Outdated practices like traditional one-on-ones can stall innovation.
• Champions of change can help shift entire cultures toward agility.
• Purpose, including “sub-purposes,” strengthens alignment across distributed teams.
• The future belongs to organizations that equip employees to embrace change as a way of life.

Final Thoughts

The workplace of tomorrow will not be defined by where we work, but by how we work. Chris Dyer’s perspective makes it clear that clinging to control or outdated practices is a recipe for stagnation. Instead, leaders who embrace transparency, purpose, and adaptability will unlock both human potential and business performance.

Check out our full conversation with Chris Dyer on The Bliss Business Podcast.