Strategies for Thriving in a Remote Work Environment with Dan Michelson

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the CEO & Founder of InCommon, Dan Michelson.

Dan's extensive experience in building and growing companies, particularly in the healthcare sector, has given him unique insights into the importance of culture in fostering growth and creating a positive work environment.

The onset of COVID-19 has brought about significant challenges and changes in how people work.

Intrigued by these changes, Dan embarked on an extensive research project, interviewing 1,700 CEOs across various industries and countries. His goal was to understand how companies were approaching the future of work in this new reality.

What he discovered was a fundamental shift in the way work is approached. Things are moving from a traditional workflow to a more integrated life flow.

Work is no longer defined by a specific time and place, but has become more of an individual experience rather than a collective one.

Dan firmly believes there are better solutions than forcing employees back to the office to improve company culture and productivity. Instead, he advocates for a flexible approach that suits each company's unique needs.

In his book, “Holy Shift,” Dan explores the mindset and strategies needed to navigate these changes and create a successful work environment.

Dan's company, InCommon, focuses on automating and simplifying the concepts of community, opportunity, relationships, and experiences that correlate with employee engagement, retention, and productivity.

They work with companies to understand their unique needs and help them navigate the future of work in a way that benefits both the company and its employees.

Key Points from the Episode:

Importance of using culture to grow companies and create a positive work environment
Shift in the way work is approached, from traditional workflow to integrated life flow
Flexible approach to improve company culture and productivity
Different needs and challenges of remote work and distributed teams
Examples of technology companies and manufacturing/service-based settings
Historical precedents of how employers have adapted to similar situations in the past
Impact of pandemics on work and labor movements
InCommon's focus on automating and simplifying concepts related to employee engagement, retention, and productivity
Working with companies to improve community, opportunity, relationships, and experiences

About Dan Michelson:

Dan Michelson is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of InCommon, a software and services company dedicated to fostering inclusive workplace cultures. He previously held key roles at Allscripts, where he served as Chief Strategy Officer and Chief Marketing Officer, contributing significantly to the company's growth from 100 to over 6,000 employees and $1 billion in annual revenue.

With extensive experience in healthcare technology, Dan provided consulting for leading hospitals and health systems. He has also worked with companies like Baxter International and AstraZeneca. Dan is actively involved in education, serving as an Adjunct Professor at Loyola University in Chicago, teaching Decision Strategy.

He holds a BS in Finance from Indiana University and an MBA from DePaul University. In addition to his professional pursuits, Dan is a philanthropist, founding projectMUSIC™, a charity concert initiative, and HackHunger™, a collaboration aiming to combat hunger through technology.

About InCommon:

InCommon is a revolutionary application designed to enhance workplace connections and foster a sense of community within companies. This innovative tool simplifies and enriches interactions among team members, promoting personal and professional growth by cultivating trust-based relationships throughout the organization.

InCommon facilitates seamless connections, community building, and dynamic collaboration, allowing employees to convene in new and meaningful ways. It goes beyond mere communication by enabling team members to feel deeply integrated into the company's core values and mission.

Through features that empower managers to coach their team members effectively, InCommon ensures a supportive environment where employees can thrive and improve their overall experience within the organization.

With its user-friendly approach, InCommon transforms the way people engage at work, creating a cohesive and empowered workforce.

Tweetable Moments:

11:56 – “We're living in a time of just stunning change and what history has proven is when you jump on the wagon of what those changes are, you can actually catalyze not only a company but even create an industry around it.”