Influence Without Office Politics 💼🚀
Because real leadership doesn’t need a nameplate or a corner desk.

Hey friend,

Let’s be honest. Some people still think power happens in conference rooms and whispered hallway chats. Cute.

Meanwhile, you’re over here leading from anywhere. Building trust across time zones. Making impact without ever circling for a parking spot.

This issue is your blueprint for earning respect without playing the office game.

Remote doesn’t mean invisible. It means unstoppable.

—Ric & Shellie

P.S. Know a remote worker who’d vibe with this? Share it with them. Remote-curious friends welcome too. 🙌🏼

WORKING REMOTELY

Connection Over Proximity: How Purpose Builds Influence in Distributed Teams

By Gillian Bellinger

Running an improv school with a scattered team taught Gillian something wild: influence has nothing to do with office real estate. 

Her secret? Two deceptively simple elements that transform scattered individuals into a motivated, aligned team—no matter how many time zones apart. The best part? Visibility isn't about being perpetually online (thank goodness). 

Curious what actually builds trust when your team barely sees your face?

→ Grab Gillian's playbook for leading from anywhere

LAST WEEK’S POLL RESULTS

What's your biggest challenge building influence while remote?

WORKING REMOTELY

Building Influence and Authority

By David Olarinoye

David landed a consulting gig with a single email, but not the kind you're thinking. 

No cold pitch, no desperation vibes. Just strategic generosity that made saying "yes" irresistible. His counterintuitive approach? Give away your best stuff for free, take bold stances in meetings (even when you might lose), and master one unexpected skill that makes you unforgettable across time zones. 

The twist that changes everything: influence isn't granted—it's engineered through five deliberate moves most remote workers completely miss.

→ Learn David's 5 steps to engineer influence remotely

QUICK TAKES

Building Credibility and Influence

✅ Demonstrating Leadership and Executive Presence in a Virtual Work Environment

✅ Leading Virtually: How to Build Real Influence from Anywhere

✅ Trust at a Distance Overview: 6 Strategies to Manage in Remote Workspaces

MEME OF THE WEEK

THE VIBE

News to Use

🔆 The Flex Work Advantage in AI ROI. Why Forcing RTO Sabotages AI Investment.

🔆 Hybrid Work Is Not the Problem — Poor Leadership Is. Learn from companies that are succeeding with hybrid work models — by building teams that are rewarded for performance, not appearances.

🔆 Designing for Reintegration: Why Future Workspaces Must Reunite Our “Innie” And “Outie”. As employers rethink return-to-office strategies

STATE OF REMOTE

Fortune 100 Leans Into Office-Heavy Hybrid

POLL – NEXT WEEKS TOPIC

Next week: The Future of Belonging: Location-independent professionals are transforming not only their own lifestyles but also how cities, neighborhoods, and communities evolve for everyone.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR

Your Week, Turbocharged

Friendsgiving feasts in three cities (because remote workers know how to celebrate). Hack days for the chronically overthinking. Coworking sessions that blur into cocktail hours. Leadership talks that don't suck. 

Whether you're shipping code in Asheville, delegating in a hybrid hellscape, or just need humans who get the WFH life—this week's stacked with your people doing your things.

🗓️ Check out the Community Calendar!

RESOURCES

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