Leading from Anywhere: Value-Based Framework for Remote Teams
A talk on leading remote and hybrid teams, built on one claim: hybrid is still remote.
By Michał (Mike) Buczko, quality and delivery leader at Carrier/Viessmann.
This talk argues that hybrid is still remote. If even one team member is remote on a given day, the whole team is a remote team that day, and the remote practices still apply. The talk collects the practices I use to lead a distributed quality team in an organisation that was never remote-first.
What the talk covers
- "Hybrid is still remote": why teams should not treat remote practices as something they left behind.
- Switching on and off: an optional start-of-day team call where any topic is allowed, and the leader's part in helping people end the working day.
- One-to-ones as the main link between a person and the company: weekly where possible, with the team member owning the agenda.
- Open calendars and meeting overload: private appointments, focus time and breaks made visible, and agreed results and deadlines in place of fixed hours.
- The leader's wider job: keeping the team together, making its work visible, and carrying messages in both directions between the company and the team.
Who it is for
Team leads, test and quality managers, and engineering managers who lead remote or hybrid teams, including teams with sites in several countries.
What you take away
- Team routines you can start next week: a start-of-day call, weekly one-to-ones and open calendars.
- An argument to use when a hybrid team wants to drop its remote practices.
- A fuller description of what a remote team expects from its leader.
Where I have given it
- HUSTEF 2025, Budapest, Hungary, 14–16 October 2025. Given on 15 October 2025 as "Building Trust, Fostering Growth, and Advocating Success for Remote Teams". Recap: HUSTEF 2025.
- QA or the Highway 2025, Columbus, Ohio, 27 June 2025, as "Leading from Anywhere: Value-Based Framework for Remote Teams". Recap: QA or the Highway 2025.
- PNSQC 2024, Portland, Oregon, 14–16 October 2024, as "Team Leadership in the time of remote silence", with a technical paper. Recap: PNSQC 2024.
- QA or the Highway 2024, Columbus, Ohio, 21 June 2024, as "Team Leadership in the time of being remote". Recap: QA or the Highway 2024.
Slides
Earlier versions: PNSQC 2024 slides (PDF), QA or the Highway 2024 slides (PDF) and the PNSQC 2024 technical paper (PDF).
Video
HUSTEF 2025, Budapest, “Framework for Thriving Remote Leadership” (28 minutes):
PNSQC 2024, Portland, “Team Leadership in the Time of Remote Silence” (48 minutes):
Format and practical details
- Length: 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the slot.
- Language: English at all four events.
- Room and tech: a projector or screen to connect to.
Related talks
- Don't Cut Your Testers, Promote Them
- From Tester to AI Operator: Building the Career Path Before You Need It
Book this talk
To book this talk, start at the Speaking page, book a 30-minute call or message me on LinkedIn.
