The Future Of Less Work Flipping the Return-to-Office Debate with SandboxAQ’s Jack Hidary
In a world where CEOs are making headlines by calling employees back to the office, is there a better way to work? In this episode of The Future of Less Work, Nirit Cohen sits down with Jack Hidary, CEO of Sandbox AQ, to explore his groundbreaking vision for leadership in today’s dynamic workplace. Jack has flipped the Return-to-Office debate on its head, suggesting it’s not employees who need to come back—it’s leaders who need to go to them.
Discover how Jack’s “Three Cs” approach—Collaboration, Customer, and Community—empowers employees to thrive where they work best, and why he believes the office is just one tool among many. We discuss rethinking leadership as a service, fostering trust and accountability, and how organizations can support innovation and connection without returning to outdated workplace models.
Whether you’re a leader searching for alternatives to rigid office mandates or an employee eager to thrive in a more flexible environment, this episode offers actionable insights and inspiration for the future of work.
Want to dive deeper into this topic? Read Nirit's Forbes article, "Return To Office? This Leader Treats Employees Like Adults", to explore these ideas further.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdx3NjCZFOQ
Guest Information:
Jack Hidary, CEO of Sandbox AQ
Your Turn:
What’s one way your organization can empower employees instead of controlling them? Share your thoughts using the hashtag #TheFutureOfLessWork, and let’s start the conversation!
Chapters:
00:00 – Why Choose Between Return to Office and Work From Home?
02:20 – Let Employees Work Where They Thrive
04:45 – How Can Companies Move Beyond the Traditional Hybrid Model?
06:50 – What Does It Mean to Focus on Outcomes Instead of Inputs?
09:25 – Reallocate Office Budgets to Enable Travel for Collaboration
11:45 – Reverse RTO: Leaders Should Travel to Meet Their Teams
14:00 – Embedding With Customers to Drive Innovation
18:50 – How Work Hubs Create a Beehive Effect That Promotes Learning
23:30 – Why Employees Should Give External Talks to Expand Networks
35:10 – What Role Does Continuous Learning Play in Thriving Teams?