The Future of Work: Flexibility and Leadership

By Dr. Stephanie Diana Eubank, DBA

A few years ago, I was on a Zoom meeting with management when my two young sons, who were toddlers at the time, came running through the background playing with their light-up toy lightsabers. They were fully committed to their Star Wars adventure, complete with the authentic sound effects.

One of the managers looked at the screen and said, “You’re raising some nerds there. Isn’t that weird they like Star Wars?”

Without missing a beat, I replied, “Nope. Here in California, we grow our nerds fresh, free-range, all organic, high-quality nerds ready to take over the world.”

That moment has stayed with me because it perfectly captured the value of remote work and the ability to be present for both family and career.

The Gift of Being Present

As a working mother, I can honestly say I would not be half the mother I am today without remote work. Remote and hybrid work arrangements gave me the opportunity to build a meaningful career while also being present for my children. Remote work did not make parenting easy, but it gave me flexibility and allowed me to participate in the moments that matter most.

Gratitude for Leaders Who Saw the Future

Two women in the financial industry who have been mentors to me for more than a decade were the individuals who first gave me opportunities to work remotely. They trusted me, evaluated me on results, and understood that leadership is about outcomes rather than physical presence. I remain incredibly grateful for their mentorship and support.

Why Are Companies Still Fighting Remote Work?

Today, many organizations continue pushing return-to-office mandates. While there are legitimate business considerations, many of these decisions stem from a different issue: leaders were never trained to lead remote and hybrid teams.

Managing distributed teams requires different communication strategies, trust-building approaches, performance management methods, and leadership competencies. The challenge is not remote work. The challenge is that many organizations are using leadership models designed for a different era.

The Future of Work Requires New Leadership

Organizations that want to attract and retain talented employees, especially working parents, must embrace flexibility and modern leadership development. The future of work requires leaders who can effectively engage, develop, and support employees regardless of location.

Helping Organizations Prepare for the Future

Through Wicked B of the West Business Consulting, I help organizations prepare their leaders and workforce for the realities of the future of work. Training and consulting services include remote leadership development, hybrid team management, workforce development, employee engagement, change management, neurodiversity inclusion, and organizational design.

Organizations interested in leadership development and future-of-work training can contact me at stephaniedeubank@gmail.com.

Book Spotlight

I also explore these topics in my book, Remote Work Is Here to Stay: Rethinking Operations Management in the Modern Work Era, available on Amazon. The book includes an entire chapter dedicated to remote and hybrid leadership theory, practical leadership frameworks, communication strategies, and best practices for managing distributed teams.

Final Thoughts

My boys are older now, but I still stand by what I said years ago. We grow our nerds fresh, free-range, and organic. More importantly, remote work gave me the opportunity to watch them grow. Flexibility is not simply an employee benefit. For many families, it is the difference between making a living and being present for life’s most meaningful moments.

References (APA 7)
Gallup. A Strategic Guide for Managing Hybrid and Remote Teams.
Pew Research Center. Does Working From Home Make Work-Family Balance Easier? (2026).
Rencelj, M. (2024). How Does Remote Work Affect the Work-Life Balance and Well-Being of Mothers?
Wolter, S., & Kroll, C. (2025). Life and Work-Life Balance Satisfaction Among Parents Working From Home.

Book Information 
 Remote Work Is Here to Stay: Rethinking Operations Management in the Modern Work Era 
 Available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5BPJCHJ 

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Email: stephaniedeubank@gmail.com  

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New Website: wickedbofthewestconsulting.com 

Also, be sure to check out my first textbook on Operations Management. The book is titled “Remote Work Is Here to Stay: Rethinking Operations Management in the Modern Work Era.” You can purchase the textbook on Amazon at the link below.