Hiring Remote Workers

Sep 23, 2025 | Podcast

WAW ep 128 Chelsea Brinkley

“If you can’t trust your people to work without being over their shoulder, the problem isn’t remote work. It’s trust.”

Remote work has been a point of debate for years, and it’s only intensified since the pandemic. As someone who helps businesses recruit and build strong cultures, I’ve seen both sides of the conversation. On one hand, leaders worry about accountability when they can’t see their teams in person. On the other, talented professionals are seeking flexibility and will pass on opportunities that don’t provide it.

In my view, remote work itself isn’t the challenge. Trust is. If you believe that productivity only happens when someone is seated within sight, you may have the wrong team members. You could also have the wrong mindset. Most people want to do good work. The question becomes are we equipping them with clarity, trust, and flexibility to deliver in the environment that works best for them?

In this episode, I had the chance to talk with Chelsea Brinkley, who left a dream job when her request for remote flexibility was denied. She now helps others find remote opportunities. She always has powerful insights about who thrives in remote work, what companies are missing when they resist, and how job seekers can stand out in a competitive remote job market.

The future of work isn’t about where we sit. It is how we show up. Remote, hybrid, or in-person, culture is built when leaders trust, employees commit, and both sides stay open to growth. That’s a truth worth carrying forward.