The workplace is changing – fast. Hybrid work, distributed teams, AI, culture, leadership, collaboration, flexibility, and the role of the physical office are all in flux. So what does the future of work really look like?

With experience at Slack, Google, and leading one of the most influential workplace research programs of the pandemic era, Brian brings real data, practical insight, and a grounded perspective on how organizations must evolve.

What the F is Happening to the Office?, is NOW on Spotify! New episode every other week!

Main Takeaways 

• Why the workplace conversation is bigger than “remote vs. hybrid”
• The mindset shift leaders need to navigate change
• Flexibility, talent strategy, and organizational performance
• Workplace design trends and the role of technology
• AI and automation in workplace experience and operations
• How companies are using workplace strategy as a leadership tool
• What the Flex Index reveals about real policy vs. headlines
• The future of office space, culture, engagement, and employee experience

Meet Brian Elliott

Brian Elliott is CEO of Work Forward, executive-in-residence at Charter, and a Senior Advisor with BCG. A recognized expert on the future of work, he’s the bestselling author of How the Future Works and a noted speaker and columnist. He spent 25 years building teams and leading companies as a startup CEO and executive at Google and Slack before co-founding Future Forum, a think tank focused on the future of work. He publishes Flex Index and the Work Forward newsletter, and was named to Forbes’ Future of Work 50.

Key Moments

1:28 – Intro: Why the office still matters
3:00 – Brian Elliott’s journey, WorkForward & Flex Index
5:18 – Talent strategy and leadership mindsets (System X vs System Y)
9:53 – What we learned (and missed) about the office
13:57 – Why executive alignment is make-or-break
17:07 – Command-and-control, Elon, and why RTO mandates fail
21:09 – Using space as a storytelling and leadership tool
24:33 – New metrics: from cost per square foot to cost per event
29:56 – Inside the Flex Index: what companies are really doing
32:49 – Policy vs behavior: how hybrid actually works
35:40 – Airbnb’s “one week a month” model and performance
37:34 – Designing for hybrid collaboration and connection
41:52 – Integrating workplace tech with physical space
44:06 – How AI will reshape workplace and facilities operations
46:54– Where to begin a workplace redesign (listen to your employees)
49:12 – Human-centric workplaces, wellbeing & performance
51:03 – Experimenting with space: PagerDuty, flex space, iteration
54:49 – Closing thoughts & where to learn more (Flex Index & Brian)

The post Why Offices Still Matter appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

What happens when Gen Z starts reshaping the rules of work—while the Boomers are still playing by the old ones? With different expectations, communication styles, and a deep desire for purpose, connection, and transparency, they’re challenging traditional norms—and raising new questions about how we work, lead, and collaborate across generations.

Warren brings decades of insight from his work at Gallup and now as CEO of Second Wave, helping organizations understand the generational forces shaping culture, leadership, and performance. Together, they unpack what’s driving Gen Z, how it compares to Boomers, Gen X, and Millennials, and what organizations need to do now to prepare for the future of work.

Main Takeaways 

• Gen Z is reshaping workplace dynamics with different values.
• Understanding generational differences is crucial for effective leadership.
• Technology and AI are significantly impacting entry-level jobs.
• Younger generations prioritize emotional safety and inclusivity.
• Career success for Gen Z is defined by purpose, not just money.
• Organizations must adapt to the changing expectations of younger workers.
• Collaboration and flexibility are key in modern workspaces.
• Diversity and equity are essential for attracting Gen Z talent.
• Training and development are critical for retaining younger employees.
• Generational collaboration can enhance workplace innovation.

Meet Warren Wright

Warren is one of the nation’s leading experts on researching generations, working with leaders to uncover their influence and insights on business strategy and outcomes. He advises leaders on ways to humanize the workplace, putting autonomy and ownership in the hands of the individual worker while improving engagement and results in the process. Warren has over 2 decades of experience in consumer research and demography, leadership development, and workshop facilitation.

Key Moments

05:52 What’s Shaping Work Today

08:00 The New Paradigm for Work

10:55 4 Generations and Their Expectations

12:48 How Generations See Leadership

16:17 The Lived Experience of Each Generation

19:13 Gen Z’s Priorities and Fears

20:57 Why Gen Z Wants In-Person Work

22:15 Social Media’s Impact on Gen Z

26:30 Rethinking Career Success

28:09 Managing Across Generations

30:19 Gen Z’s Relationship with Technology

33:03 Gen Z’s Superpowers

35:30 Building Multi-Generational Teams

39:24 Creating Safe Work Environments

39:43 Bridging the Communication Gap

43:15 AI’s Impact on Entry-Level Work

46:15 The “Chief Z Officer” Idea

46:56 Designing Workplaces for Gen Z

50:43 DEI, Belonging, and the Long View

52:00 Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

The post 4 Generations, One Office appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

If you care about how work connects to people, culture, performance—and where AI fits in—this one’s for you. If you enjoy this, please share this with others who are passionate about workplace design.

Jeremy traces his roots from the Seattle Design Nerds and the city’s Design Festival to leading global workplace strategy for top tech companies. We dig into AI-driven team rooms, immersive storytelling in space, low-tech counter-movements, and how to balance tech, culture, and wellbeing without losing the human experience.

What They Discuss

1. From maker culture to workplace: Public, hands-on design experiments (Seattle Design Nerds/Festival) sharpened Jeremy’s focus on user experience and immersion in office design.

2. AI reshapes planning: For AI teams, the sea of desks gives way to small 4–6 person prompt rooms feeding into larger critique rooms for rapid iteration.

3. Senior talent matters more: As AI handles production, experienced curators (senior engineers/designers) guide prompts, evaluate outputs, and set direction.

4. Human first, then tech: Great offices start with culture and purpose alignment; technology should be invisible, seamless support—not the driver.

5. The low-tech counterwave: Expect tech-free zones and more authentic materials/craft alongside advanced sensing, automation, and mixed reality.

6. Wellbeing gets smarter: Adaptive environments (lighting, air, nudges) personalize comfort and health—while protecting time for real, in-person connection.

Meet Jeremy Reding

Jeremy leads the firm’s Workplace sector. He serves as a lead designer for many of the DLR Group’s global technology clients, including Google, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Microsoft. Jeremy leads studios in all DLR Group locations to deliver workplaces that work for public and private sector clients.

Jeremy provides this design and thought leadership across DLR Group’s 30 locations to create award-winning, technology-enhanced, and employee-centered workplaces for public and private clients. He also teaches a post-pandemic graduate design course at the University of Nebraska where he can work with students to explore what-if scenarios that inform the future workplace.

Key Moments

01:08 Introduction – Who designs AI workplaces?

02:25 Origins in experimental design (Seattle Design Nerds)

06:02 Public Involvement in Design

07:18 Scaling up – from grassroots to citywide design festival

11:22 From festivals to workplace design – immersive storytelling

16:28 Post-pandemic priorities – intentional connection & culture alignment

18:36 Sources of inspiration – cross-industry insights & teaching future designers

22:06 Balancing authenticity with technology in workplace design

23:53 Designing culture into space – beyond logos and colors

26:20 AI & Future Design – new ideas about the workplace

27:00 How AI companies shape new workplace typologies

28:32 AI in the design process from creation to curation

30:16 Space planning today

32:09 Metrics, density, and user experience

36:09 The counterbalance – tech-free zones & human imperfection

38:56 Health and wellbeing as a design driver

40:26 Personal Use of AI

41:46 How AI is Changing the Profession

43:18 Advice to the next generation of designers

45:00 How to Approach the use of AI

45:45 How AI is transforming design practice today

The post Who is Designing AI Workplaces? appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Ray shares how Cisco’s single-platform removes meeting pain, and how space can close sales and attract talent, and how he’s using AI to turn briefs into visuals in hours, not months. Ray Milora leads workplace design & construction at Cisco, helping teams rethink hybrid space, integrate technology, and leverage AI to accelerate workplace strategy.

What You’ll Learn

• Why leadership—not amenities—drives office attendance
• How Cisco’s unified tech stack eliminates meeting friction (and why that matters)
• A blueprint for activating space (leader Q&As, earnings huddles, learning events)
• How space becomes a business tool: talent attraction and sales impact
• AI for workplace strategy: convert a conversation, create the brief, share the visuals, obtain ROM pricing quickly.
• Rethinking metrics: beyond badge rates to problem-solving, speed, career development & culture
• Portfolio “right-sizing” and building flexibility without tearing down walls

Meet Ray Milora

At Cisco, he’s leading our efforts to redefine the purpose, use and experience of the Workplace by engaging leaders throughout the company, and employees wherever they are. We’re looking beyond design, focusing on needs, thus uncovering how space can be a tool for achieving business, team and individual goals underpinned by the breadth of Cisco technology and Services.

The common thread throughout his career is design, with a formal background in Graphic Design. He has nearly 30 years of focused, and passionate experience in applying the principles of User-Centered Design to the creation of software, Services and Workplace Experiences.

Key Moments

01:30 – Intro: Is the problem space or leadership?

03:07 – Ray’s GSK story: from resistance to 90%+ show-up

05:45 – How leader presence changes attendance & growth

07:00 – “Activation” tactics leaders can run this week

10:18 – Inside Cisco’s hybrid stack: one platform, zero friction

13:05 – Rooms that “just work” (no 15-minute tech setup)

15:26 – Space as a business tool: hiring & closing deals in Atlanta

20:36 – Using AI to turn words into visuals—overnight

24:30 – From brief → render → ROM pricing in ~2 weeks

35:00 – The metrics that matter now (and what to drop)

37:45 – Portfolio strategy: less space, more bespoke gatherings

41:00 – Writing better briefs; the “EQ sliders” model

43:28 – Why most RTO white papers miss the point

49:42 – Where to start: top-down clarity before “workplace strategy”

Credits:

• Created & Directed By Bob Fox
• Produced By Work Design Studios

The post Leadership: The Real Magnet appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Mark unpacks how smart companies like T-Mobile, Allstate, Airbnb, Spotify, and the GSA are rethinking office strategy with:

• Flexible workspace ecosystems
• AI-powered portfolio intelligence
• People-first planning (not place-first guessing)

What We Cover:

• Why the RTO debate is a distraction
• The economics behind Allstate’s $250M cost savings
• How to unlock the “Hybrid Dividend” (yes, it’s real)
• Why 83% of office bookings are not for solo work
• And how to actually make hybrid work… work

6 Takeaways From the Conversation with Mark Gilbreath

1. The Real Enemy of Hybrid Work? Coordination Chaos.When everyone chooses where to work, but no one aligns on when—collaboration breaks down. This is the coordination tax. And it’s killing productivity.

2. Flip the Script: People, Then Place. Traditional systems ask: “Where do you want to work?”LiquidSpace asks: “What are you trying to do—and with whom?”This is what makes hybrid work actually work.

3. Flex Work Isn’t Fringe Anymore. The biggest enterprises on the planet are ditching fixed leases for agile space networks—complete with budgets, policies, and booking data baked in.

4. AI = Instant Portfolio Intelligence. LiquidSpace Portfolio Manager can now calculate the cost delta between flex and leased space in seconds. What used to take weeks? Now it’s a click.

5. The Hybrid Dividend Is Double. Place dividend: Massive cost savings (e.g. Allstate cut $382M to $125M) People dividend: Choice → Engagement → Retention

6. Data v. Gut Feel. 83% of bookings are for group work. Real data is revealing how, where, and why people gather—and how CRE strategy needs to catch up.

Meet Mark Gilbreath

Mark is the founder and CEO of LiquidSpace, the hybrid workplace management SaaS platform and on-demand office marketplace for enterprise.

The LiquidSpace marketplace is the only platform today that is providing dynamic companies with the superpowers to provide a global workforce with workplace flexibility and provide their workplace leaders with the tools to control and learn from the new rituals of work and workplace.

A silicon valley veteran, Mark began his career in the semiconductor industry in the late 80’s, before founding and operating a series of software and real estate ventures, culminating with LiquidSpace.

Key Moments

01:16 – Introduction to Hybrid Work Challenges

02:52 – The Birth of LiquidSpace

08:35 – Navigating the Pandemic’s Impact

17:12 – Leveraging Data for Strategic Decisions

21:02 – Understanding the Hybrid Dividend

24:27 – The Shift Towards Flexibility and Choice

27:29 – Addressing the Coordination Tax

32:50 – Innovative Solutions for Team Collaboration

34:25 – The People Dividend and ROI in Real Estate

37:30 – Data-Driven Decisions in Workplace Strategy

41:30 – Employee Choice and Space Utilization 

45:50 – Empowering Employees in Workplace Design 

48:39 – The Human-Centric Approach to Workspaces

51:39 – Workplace Transformation and Employee Engagement

53:33 – The Role of Policy in Hybrid Work

58:44 – Looking Ahead: Peak Office and Future Trends

01:01:16 – The GSA and Flexible Office Solutions

Credits:

• Created & Directed By Bob Fox
• Produced By Work Design Studios

The post Unlocking the Hybrid Dividend appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

Lauren shares how companies can turn their office into a “living lab” for innovation, why choice is the ultimate workplace benefit, and what leaders need to know about data, behavior, and the real ROI of good workplace design. If you’re a designer, facility manager, strategist, or just rethinking how and where we work—don’t miss this conversation.

6 Takeaways From the Conversation with Lauren Hasson,

1. Workplace Strategy = User Experience

“Think of workplace strategy like UX for physical space.” Design isn’t just about layout and finishes—it’s about how people interact with the environment. Every decision should be rooted in the experience of the end user, from entry to exit.

2. Experimentation Should Be Ongoing, Not One-Time

“Every office should have a living lab.” Organizations need to treat space as a platform for learning. Instead of static environments tied to long leases, create zones for A/B testing layouts, furniture, or tech—then iterate based on real behavior.

3. Choice Is the Ultimate Amenity

“People perform better when they can choose where and how they work.” Design for neurodiversity and personal preference by offering a variety of settings: quiet zones, collaborative spaces, open lounges, and private focus areas. Flexibility in choice = increased satisfaction and performance.

4. Metrics Need an Upgrade

“Stop relying solely on RSF per seat.” Real estate metrics should shift from space density to experience-based value—like RSF per person (including shared space), cost per visit, and employee engagement scores tied to specific spaces.

5. Design Alone Isn’t Enough—Leadership Must Model Behavior

“If the work café isn’t being used, look at how leadership is using it.” Even the best-designed spaces fall flat if not actively embraced by leadership. Leaders need to be visible in shared areas to give others permission to use them fully.

6. Beautiful, Thoughtful Design Matters More Than Ever

“We’re competing with home offices now.” People have curated their own work-from-home experiences—and expect the office to feel just as good or better. Aesthetics, comfort, and emotional tone now play a critical role in workplace success.

Want More Insights From Lauren Hasson?

Catch her live at WorkX on August 14, where she’ll join leaders from Bevi and Metropolis for the panel, “Beyond the Breakroom: Reimagining Office Culture Through Purposeful Design.” Together, they’ll explore 7 key trends reshaping the workplace—from AI and hybrid work to wellness and inclusivity—and how even overlooked spaces like breakrooms can drive culture, connection, and purpose. WorkX brings together today’s workplace leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges across real estate, design, employee experience, and the evolving hybrid landscape.

If you haven’t secured your pass yet, now’s the time: Work Design Magazine readers get 20% off* with code WORKXWDM25. Book Online

Meet Lauren Hasson

Lauren Hasson is JLL’s Senior Vice President, Workplace Strategy. As companies struggle to navigate a new era of work, brokers call upon Hasson’s expertise to help their clients improve all dimensions of workplace experience, from hybrid policies to how the client’s office is designed. JLL formed its workplace strategy team in 2021 in response to evolving client needs. Through her efforts, Hasson proves that workplace strategy isn’t a “nice to have”; it’s a “need to have” in CRE.

Hasson’s clients lean on her for frequent touchpoints and direction as they refine their approach to flexible work. Her expertise is highly revered because she combines multiple disciplines – design, organizational psychology, human behavior, and business acumen – for solutions. She frequently speaks at conferences and industry events and often contributes to thought leadership pieces with local news outlets.

Key Moments

02:53 – Intro: Lauren’s Background

03:20 – Defining Workplace Strategy

04:02 – Did We Waste the Moment? 

05:35 – Survey Reveals Lack of Innovation

07:30 – Why Companies Avoid Experimenting

10:00 – Workplace as a Living Lab

12:19 – The Power of Choice

14:40 – Collaboration and Social Design

16:35 – Making Use of Workplace Data

18:07 – Most Used Data Types

19:24 – Architects Should Push Harder

20:40 – Flexibility and Modularity

22:22 – Small Company Strategies

23:15 – Human-Centric Workspaces

23:47 – New Workplace Performance Metrics

25:18 – Return to Office Trends

26:25 – Rethinking Mandates

27:35 – Incentives That Didn’t Work

28:10 – Top Amenities: Food, Fitness, Meeting Spaces

28:54 – Regional Variations and Trends

31:41 – Leadership Sets the Tone

32:50 – AI as a Strategy Tool

33:50 – Where to Begin Strategically

37:00 – Future Trends: Aesthetics and AI

39:00 – Sustainability is Table Stakes

40:10 – Final Thoughts: Keep Pushing for Change

Credits:

• Created & Directed By Bob Fox
• Produced By Work Design Studios

*This discount is for Gold or Platinum End-User passes only. WorkX has the right to determine who qualifies as an End User. 

The post What Would it Take to Make The Office Matter Again? appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

We dive into how workplaces are evolving into ecosystems of health, sustainability, and resilience. Jennifer shares her unique journey from social work and the film industry to becoming a global leader in sustainability consulting. She offers insight on how to design for climate change, improve air quality, support mental health, accommodate neurodiversity, and create policies that genuinely support employee well-being.

We also explore how data, sensors, and AI are changing the way we design and operate buildings. Whether you’re developing your next office, rethinking hybrid work policies, or just trying to understand how buildings can truly support human performance—this conversation will give you ideas, frameworks, and real-world examples you can use today.

This episode was recorded and published prior to Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic joining BranchPattern. Jennifer now serves as Client Development Director at BranchPattern, a nationally recognized sustainability and engineering firm. Her move to BranchPattern builds upon the ideas she shares in this conversation and reflects a continued commitment to advancing health, equity, and sustainability in the built environment.

The post Resilient Workplaces – Building for Health & Sustainability with Jennifer Berthlot-Jelovic appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

We dig into generational shifts in expectations, the evolution of the office gym into a holistic wellness lounge, and how simple, fast, and scalable wellness programs are reshaping the return-to-office experience. Whether you’re a CEO, HR director, or just trying to sit at your desk without back pain this episode has something for you.

Main Takeaways

• Traditional 60-minute workshops are out! 1 to 5 minute “brain breaks,” stretching, and on-demand wellness videos are in.

• Ergonomics and mental health have become central as hybrid and remote work reshaped physical office needs.

• AI-driven “Wellness Concierge” systems personalize content delivery in real-time, keeping employees engaged and supported.

• On-site wellness lounges and group classes help build culture and create bonds between leadership and staff.

• Simplicity, accessibility, and executive participation are key to successful implementation.

Meet Brendan Herbert

As the Chief Operations Officer at Infinity Wellness Partners, he’s lead a team of dedicated professionals who are passionate about improving the health and well-being of their clients. With over 12 years of experience in the wellness industry, Brendan has developed a comprehensive understanding of the needs and challenges of diverse populations, from underprivileged kids to corporate employees.

His expertise lies in designing and implementing effective wellness programs that cater to the unique needs of each group. Brendan has successfully implemented after-school wellness programs for underprivileged kids in D.C. Public Schools and worksite wellness programs for specific companies in downtown Washington D.C. Brendan’s mission is to empower individuals to take control of their health and well-being, and to create a culture of wellness in every community.

Key Moments

01:37 Intro: Why We Should Be Doing Jumping Jacks

03:49 Brendan’s Journey from Personal Trainer to Wellness COO

04:50 What is Infinity Wellness Partners?

05:52 How COVID Changed Workplace Wellness

06:59 Hybrid & A New Work Environment

08:16 Short, Frequent & Holistic Programs

10:05 The Peloton Effect and Wellness Tech

10:59 Personalized Technology – Stretching, Blood Flow & Breathing

12:35 Generational Shifts in Wellness Expectations

14:00 State-of-the-Art Fitness Centers Become Social Hubs

15:28 How Amenities Drive Office Attendance

17:51 Technology & Wellness

18:33 Bringing Wellness Directly to the Desk

20:34 AI + Chatbots: The Wellness Concierge

22:26 Cafes, Nutrition, and Smarter Choices

24:05 Extending Wellness to Remote Workers

25:43 Incentives vs. Intrinsic Motivation

27:21 Productivity, Accessibility for Wellness Programs

29:30 Why Leadership Buy-In Matters

30:45 Making Wellness Easy to Implement

Credits:

• Created & Directed By Bob Fox
• Produced By Work Design Studios

The post Rethinking Wellness at Work: Fast, Holistic, and On-Demand – With Brendan Herbert appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

The discussion covers trends in employee behavior, the return to office dynamics, and the necessity for organizations to adapt their real estate strategies based on data-driven insights. Meg pulls in specific research findings that support these workplace shifts from Eptura’s 2025 Workplace Index.

Download the report:

The conversation also highlights the significance of tracking the data to create an engaging and efficient workplace that meets the needs of a diverse workforce, particularly as generational expectations shift. This conversation delves into the evolving landscape of facility management and workplace design, emphasizing the rapid integration of AI, the changing role of facility managers, and the importance of data-driven decision-making.

Main Takeaways

• The office environment is evolving with a focus on seamless experiences.
• Technology integration is crucial for enhancing workplace productivity
• Employee experience is defined by the ease of access to resources.
• Data-driven decisions are vital for optimizing real estate usage.
• Visitor dynamics are changing as more make their way into the office, necessitating better security measures.
• Organizations are balancing space optimization with employee needs.
• Employees demand a unified experience to streamline their work.
• Facility managers must be involved in the design process.
• Understanding how teams use space is vital for optimization.
• AI can enhance personalization in workplace experiences.
• Engaging all stakeholders leads to better outcomes.

Meet Meg Swanson

With more than 20 years of technology market experience, Meg Swanson brings extensive built environment expertise to her role as Chief Market Officer. Meg has led positioning and product strategy within corporate real estate, asset management, security and developer ecosystems. She is passionate about building multi-digit growth by letting the voice of the customer lead the way. Her global experience includes leadership roles at IBM, Accruent and Steelcase. At Eptura, Meg leads strategy for product, marketing and user experience.

Key Moments

03:30 Technology and Interactive Workplaces

04:30 Seamless Experiences

05:48 Workplace Experience Leaders

07:25 Understanding Employee Experience

11:58 Data-Driven Decisions in Real Estate

14:59 Return to Office Trends

17:41 Visitor Dynamics and Security

19:36 Optimizing Space, Managing Options and Amenities

24:06 Expectations in the Workplace

25:00 Generational Changes and Gen Z Expectations

27:18 Changing Employee Behavior and Technology Needs

27:42 Integrating Technology in Facility Management

29:15 The Role of Facility Managers in Modern Workspaces

32:50 High Performing Work Environments

35:00 New Metrics for a Productive Work Environment

38:40 Optimizing Real Estate and Space Utilization

41:00 AI and Personalization in Workplace Experience

44:24 Enhancing Visitor Management in Work Environments

46:58 Streamlining Technology Integration

49:56 Qualitative Assessments of Workspace Design

52:10 Data-Driven Decision Making for Facility Managers

53:43 Gathering Accurate Data

56:15 The Team, The Data and Integrated Technology

Credits:

• Created & Directed By Bob Fox
• Produced By Work Design Studios

The post AI & The Data Driven Workplace a Conversation with Meg Swanson appeared first on Work Design Magazine.

We explore socio-technical design, how communication norms impact hybrid work, how AI is reshaping behavior, why casual “water cooler” conversations still matter, and how leaders can create more human-centric, high-performing environments. Caitlin shares actionable ideas to reset norms, encourage deeper collaboration, and rethink how we use technology without losing our humanity.

Main Takeaways

Socio-technical Design: Successful workplaces must jointly optimize technology and human behavior.

Communication Norms Matter: Balancing asynchronous (email, Slack) and synchronous (meetings, calls) interactions is critical for productivity and innovation.

Micro-Conversations Are Vital: Casual, unscheduled interactions (“watercooler moments”) drive better decision-making and team cohesion.

Notification Culture Is Toxic: Constant pings diminish collaboration and creativity; setting new norms is essential.

AI Must Be Human-Centric: Organizations should treat AI as a tool to enhance human skills, not replace them.

Analog Experiences Matter: Building habits like “no phones in the morning” can boost focus, creativity, and well-being.

Leadership Modeling: Executives must model the behaviors they want to see — like using collaborative spaces and respecting deep work time.

Slow, Iterative Innovation: Real innovation requires time, experimentation, and human connection — not just rapid output. 

Meet Caitlin Begg

Caitlin Begg is a sociologist, researcher, and founder of Authentic Social, an applied research lab based in New York City and Amsterdam. Her work focuses on designing a socio-technical future by optimizing the balance between human connection and technology, with a focus on workplace communication, AI, and digital culture. A frequent speaker across Europe and the U.S., Caitlin also hosts the Progression to Analog podcast, exploring how we stay human in an increasingly digital world. Stay ahead of the seismic shifts redefining the office!

Key Moments

01:39 Analog vs. Digital: How Work Has Changed

03:00 Meet Caitlin Begg: Sociology Meets Technology

04:30 Are We Over-Relying on Tech?

05:50 Hybrid Work & the Communication Gap

07:20 Socio-Technical Design: The 4 Core Principles

09:15 Fixing Communication with Data + Norms

11:00 Asynchronous vs. Synchronous: What’s the Right Mix?

13:00 Watercooler 2.0: Why Micro-Conversations Matter

15:00 Headphones, Smartphones, and Workplace Disconnection

17:00 Setting New Workplace Communication Norms

19:30 The Hidden Cost of Notification Culture

21:00 Managing AI: Bring Your Own or Standardized Use?

23:00 How to Train Teams on Everyday AI

25:00 Prompt Engineering Is the New Literacy

27:00 Progression to Analog: Reclaiming Focus

29:00 The Power of Starting Your Day Analog

30:45 Designing Spaces for Connection and Innovation

33:00 Modeling Behavior: What Leaders Must Do

35:00 Future Outlook: Designing for Human + Tech

37:20 Why Sociotechnical Strategy Drives Business Success

39:00 Start Small: Tips for Personal Change

41:00 Redefining Work, Connection & Innovation

43:00 Slowness, Friction, and the Value of Iteration

45:00 Final Thoughts: The Case for Human-Centric Work

Credits:

• Created & Directed By Bob Fox
• Produced By Work Design Studios

The post Analog in a Digital Workplace with Caitlin Begg appeared first on Work Design Magazine.