The Truth About Managing Remote Teams in 2025
๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐ฑ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐, ๐ต๐ผ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ฑ ๐๐ฒ๐ป๐.
This show exists for one reason: to have real conversations with people who are actively reshaping what leadership looks like in todayโs world of work. No fluff. No corporate-speak. Just straight talk from the people in the trenches.
In this debut episode, David sits down with Jaime Klein, CEO of Inspire Human Resources, to unpack whatโs really happening behind the buzzwords of fractional work, remote leadership, and the return-to-office wave sweeping across major industries.
Jaime has been ahead of the curve since 2007, building remote-first, fractional HR teams long before it was trendy. In this episode, she and David dig into:
โข Why fractional roles are exploding (and why they work)
โข What most companies are still getting wrong about remote work
โข How proximity bias is quietly undermining DEI efforts
โข Why AI in HR isnโt hype, itโs already happening
โข How to give better feedback and hold harder conversations, remotely
โข What must leaders do to build real trust, cohesion, and culture?
โข Why hybrid models require more intentionality than ever before
โข And yes, why having fun for funโs sake still matters
Discover Inspire Human Resources- https://www.inspirehumanresources.com/
If you're a leader, founder, people manager, or just someone trying to navigate the constantly shifting terrain of modern work, this conversation will change how you think about your team, your culture, and your role as a leader.
New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe to Lead Smarter for honest, expert conversations that help you lead with clarity, confidence, and humanity.
https://leadsmarterpod.com/
Find us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LeadSmarterPodcast
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-smarter/?viewAsMember=true
00:00 - Navigating Fractional Work in HR
This show exists for one reason: to have real conversations with people who are actively reshaping what leadership looks like in todayโs world of work. No fluff. No corporate-speak. Just straight talk from the people in the trenches.
In this debut episode, David sits down with Jaime Klein, CEO of Inspire Human Resources, to unpack whatโs really happening behind the buzzwords of fractional work, remote leadership, and the return-to-office wave sweeping across major industries.
Jaime has been ahead of the curve since 2007, building remote-first, fractional HR teams long before it was trendy. In this episode, she and David dig into:
โข Why fractional roles are exploding (and why they work)
โข What most companies are still getting wrong about remote work
โข How proximity bias is quietly undermining DEI efforts
โข Why AI in HR isnโt hype, itโs already happening
โข How to give better feedback and hold harder conversations, remotely
โข What must leaders do to build real trust, cohesion, and culture?
โข Why hybrid models require more intentionality than ever before
โข And yes, why having fun for funโs sake still matters
Discover Inspire Human Resources- https://www.inspirehumanresources.com/
If you're a leader, founder, people manager, or just someone trying to navigate the constantly shifting terrain of modern work, this conversation will change how you think about your team, your culture, and your role as a leader.
New episodes drop regularly. Subscribe to Lead Smarter for honest, expert conversations that help you lead with clarity, confidence, and humanity.
https://leadsmarterpod.com/
Find us on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@LeadSmarterPodcast
Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lead-smarter/?viewAsMember=true
00:00 - Navigating Fractional Work in HR
02:52 - The Evolution of Remote Work
05:46 - Challenges and Opportunities in Remote Leadership
08:57 -The Dynamics of In-Person vs Remote Work
11:53 -Managing Difficult Conversations Remotely
14:54 - The Future of Hybrid Work Models
18:05 - The Role of AI in HR
21:08 - Proximity Bias and DEI in Remote Work
24:05 - Advice for Future Leaders
26:55 - Book Recommendations and Closing Thoughts
