Brian Elliott
@elliottsf.com
Advisor, speaker and writer on people, tech and future of work. Co-founded Future Forum, ex-Slack, Google and many others. Dad, dog walker and slow runner. Often wrong.
In the dotcom era, the influx of banker bro types into tech was followed by the bubble bursting. B2B became "Back to Banking," B2C was "Back to Consulting"
Will the modern tech bros usher in AGI and the last-ever gold rush, or will we get B2B 2.0?
@sfstandard.com
sfstandard.com/2025/09/29/t...?
Will the modern tech bros usher in AGI and the last-ever gold rush, or will we get B2B 2.0?
@sfstandard.com
sfstandard.com/2025/09/29/t...?
Tech Bro 2.0: The new Silicon Valley archetype dominating the AI age
He’s not what he used to be. He’s jacked, cracked, and thinks he might save America.
sfstandard.com
September 29, 2025 at 11:22 PM
In the dotcom era, the influx of banker bro types into tech was followed by the bubble bursting. B2B became "Back to Banking," B2C was "Back to Consulting"
Will the modern tech bros usher in AGI and the last-ever gold rush, or will we get B2B 2.0?
@sfstandard.com
sfstandard.com/2025/09/29/t...?
Will the modern tech bros usher in AGI and the last-ever gold rush, or will we get B2B 2.0?
@sfstandard.com
sfstandard.com/2025/09/29/t...?
Giving someone a meditation app to help with burnout is like treating a third-degree burn with a bandaid.
What works? Learn to recognize the signs, clear priorities, and opportunities to grow -- not just taking breaks.
👉 sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-...
Image credit @omarwhatworks.bsky.social
What works? Learn to recognize the signs, clear priorities, and opportunities to grow -- not just taking breaks.
👉 sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-...
Image credit @omarwhatworks.bsky.social
September 29, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Giving someone a meditation app to help with burnout is like treating a third-degree burn with a bandaid.
What works? Learn to recognize the signs, clear priorities, and opportunities to grow -- not just taking breaks.
👉 sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-...
Image credit @omarwhatworks.bsky.social
What works? Learn to recognize the signs, clear priorities, and opportunities to grow -- not just taking breaks.
👉 sloanreview.mit.edu/article/the-...
Image credit @omarwhatworks.bsky.social
Just a reminder of how hard Trump had to work to mess up this economy.
September 5, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Just a reminder of how hard Trump had to work to mess up this economy.
It’s not AI-driven automation that’s killing the job market, it’s tariffs and uncertainty.
The big hope of Big Tech is to compound it by cranking up AI-driven losses.
Otherwise, an economy propped up by AI investment collapses.
We are so screwed.
open.substack.com/pub/theworkf...
The big hope of Big Tech is to compound it by cranking up AI-driven losses.
Otherwise, an economy propped up by AI investment collapses.
We are so screwed.
open.substack.com/pub/theworkf...
The Job Market Squeeze: When Uncertainty Meets AI
Why the employment downturn has more to do with anxiety than technology
open.substack.com
September 5, 2025 at 5:41 PM
It’s not AI-driven automation that’s killing the job market, it’s tariffs and uncertainty.
The big hope of Big Tech is to compound it by cranking up AI-driven losses.
Otherwise, an economy propped up by AI investment collapses.
We are so screwed.
open.substack.com/pub/theworkf...
The big hope of Big Tech is to compound it by cranking up AI-driven losses.
Otherwise, an economy propped up by AI investment collapses.
We are so screwed.
open.substack.com/pub/theworkf...
Why do women have a far greater preference for remote and hybrid work than men? It’s not just that they’re far more often the primary caregiver.
It’s that bias and discrimination are twice as likely to happen to a woman on-site than working remotely.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/return-to-...
It’s that bias and discrimination are twice as likely to happen to a woman on-site than working remotely.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/return-to-...
Return to Office, Return to Bias
Why the gender gap in return to office isn't just about caregiving
theworkforward.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Why do women have a far greater preference for remote and hybrid work than men? It’s not just that they’re far more often the primary caregiver.
It’s that bias and discrimination are twice as likely to happen to a woman on-site than working remotely.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/return-to-...
It’s that bias and discrimination are twice as likely to happen to a woman on-site than working remotely.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/return-to-...
Stack ranking and removing the bottom XX% is back in vogue, esp in Big Tech.
As a reminder, here's the org chart that resulted in at Microsoft in the 2000's: internal competition.
Research on why it backfires long term, and alternative paths:
theworkforward.substack.com/p/stop-ranki...
As a reminder, here's the org chart that resulted in at Microsoft in the 2000's: internal competition.
Research on why it backfires long term, and alternative paths:
theworkforward.substack.com/p/stop-ranki...
July 31, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Stack ranking and removing the bottom XX% is back in vogue, esp in Big Tech.
As a reminder, here's the org chart that resulted in at Microsoft in the 2000's: internal competition.
Research on why it backfires long term, and alternative paths:
theworkforward.substack.com/p/stop-ranki...
As a reminder, here's the org chart that resulted in at Microsoft in the 2000's: internal competition.
Research on why it backfires long term, and alternative paths:
theworkforward.substack.com/p/stop-ranki...
The best leaders embrace being uncomfortable. They know that challenges that test us today become our biggest accomplishments tomorrow -- that's how we learn and grow.
My interview with Izabella Lorenz:
theworkforward.substack.com/p/learning-w...
My interview with Izabella Lorenz:
theworkforward.substack.com/p/learning-w...
Learning While Leading
How Zoom's Izabella Lorenz Transformed Workplace Strategy Through Customer-Centric Design
theworkforward.substack.com
July 24, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The best leaders embrace being uncomfortable. They know that challenges that test us today become our biggest accomplishments tomorrow -- that's how we learn and grow.
My interview with Izabella Lorenz:
theworkforward.substack.com/p/learning-w...
My interview with Izabella Lorenz:
theworkforward.substack.com/p/learning-w...
Five major studies on AI adoption recently dropped. The findings are insightful & alarming.
The employees getting the biggest productivity gains are also 2X more likely to quit, with 88% higher burnout rates.
Even scarier? Heavy AI users say they'd rather chat with ChatGPT than their colleagues.
The employees getting the biggest productivity gains are also 2X more likely to quit, with 88% higher burnout rates.
Even scarier? Heavy AI users say they'd rather chat with ChatGPT than their colleagues.
July 16, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Five major studies on AI adoption recently dropped. The findings are insightful & alarming.
The employees getting the biggest productivity gains are also 2X more likely to quit, with 88% higher burnout rates.
Even scarier? Heavy AI users say they'd rather chat with ChatGPT than their colleagues.
The employees getting the biggest productivity gains are also 2X more likely to quit, with 88% higher burnout rates.
Even scarier? Heavy AI users say they'd rather chat with ChatGPT than their colleagues.
If we invested half the energy spent debating office attendance into fixing how we spend our time, we'd have higher productivity – and lower burnout.
We keep stumbling into packed calendars and ending weeks frustrated.
Want to do something about it?
theworkforward.substack.com/p/the-meetin...
We keep stumbling into packed calendars and ending weeks frustrated.
Want to do something about it?
theworkforward.substack.com/p/the-meetin...
The Meeting Plague: Why Your Calendar Is Killing Productivity
Help us research what's working (and what isn't) by sharing your experience in our 5-minute survey
theworkforward.substack.com
July 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
If we invested half the energy spent debating office attendance into fixing how we spend our time, we'd have higher productivity – and lower burnout.
We keep stumbling into packed calendars and ending weeks frustrated.
Want to do something about it?
theworkforward.substack.com/p/the-meetin...
We keep stumbling into packed calendars and ending weeks frustrated.
Want to do something about it?
theworkforward.substack.com/p/the-meetin...
The CEOs who are AI arms merchants aren't the only ones telling employees to adopt or else, but they're certainly the loudest.
Thanks @emilypeck.bsky.social for talking to me about your latest:
www.axios.com/2025/06/20/a...
Thanks @emilypeck.bsky.social for talking to me about your latest:
www.axios.com/2025/06/20/a...
Why CEOs are using AI to scare workers
CEOs warn the new technology could make many workers obsolete, while urging them to start using it right away.
www.axios.com
June 20, 2025 at 3:07 PM
The CEOs who are AI arms merchants aren't the only ones telling employees to adopt or else, but they're certainly the loudest.
Thanks @emilypeck.bsky.social for talking to me about your latest:
www.axios.com/2025/06/20/a...
Thanks @emilypeck.bsky.social for talking to me about your latest:
www.axios.com/2025/06/20/a...
“He thought he was the King of America…
Now he’s a brilliant mistake.”
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
Now he’s a brilliant mistake.”
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
June 18, 2025 at 5:56 AM
“He thought he was the King of America…
Now he’s a brilliant mistake.”
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
Now he’s a brilliant mistake.”
Elvis Costello & the Imposters
The "tough talk" CEO is back, in part thanks to Elon emulation. It's also a recipe for lost engagement.
Strong leaders build trust through reliability, not intimidation. They're demanding AND supportive, setting clear goals while coaching people through change.
sloanreview.mit.edu/article/five...
Strong leaders build trust through reliability, not intimidation. They're demanding AND supportive, setting clear goals while coaching people through change.
sloanreview.mit.edu/article/five...
Five Leadership Lessons for ‘Tough’ CEOs | Brian Elliott and Sophie Wade
A tough-leader persona isn’t effective for achieving long-term business results. That demands human-centered leadership.
sloanreview.mit.edu
June 16, 2025 at 11:20 PM
The "tough talk" CEO is back, in part thanks to Elon emulation. It's also a recipe for lost engagement.
Strong leaders build trust through reliability, not intimidation. They're demanding AND supportive, setting clear goals while coaching people through change.
sloanreview.mit.edu/article/five...
Strong leaders build trust through reliability, not intimidation. They're demanding AND supportive, setting clear goals while coaching people through change.
sloanreview.mit.edu/article/five...
Reposted by Brian Elliott
The Senate Majority leader is lying
FOX: The Committee for a Responsible Budget came out today and said it will add $15 trillion to the debt
THUNE: This will reduce the deficit, not increase it
THUNE: This will reduce the deficit, not increase it
June 16, 2025 at 7:53 PM
The Senate Majority leader is lying
Poulsbo WA, pop 12k, organizers expected a few hundred and had several thousand folks show up.
June 14, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Poulsbo WA, pop 12k, organizers expected a few hundred and had several thousand folks show up.
That’s one heck of a map. Over 2,000 locations. Hope you will join me out there Saturday.
www.nokings.org
www.nokings.org
June 12, 2025 at 1:06 PM
That’s one heck of a map. Over 2,000 locations. Hope you will join me out there Saturday.
www.nokings.org
www.nokings.org
I've been texting LA folks this: stay away from the Marines. This is an extremely bad and dangerous move by Trump. The Marines being sent in are infantry, not peacekeepers. They are folks who look for a fight, and win that fight. If you are in LA, have friends or family in LA, please be safe.
June 10, 2025 at 12:06 AM
I've been texting LA folks this: stay away from the Marines. This is an extremely bad and dangerous move by Trump. The Marines being sent in are infantry, not peacekeepers. They are folks who look for a fight, and win that fight. If you are in LA, have friends or family in LA, please be safe.
Every org I work with these days has a big "director slump", especially in tech.
Overloaded, no time to put hands on craft, all the responsibility & no authority.
Bosses make decisions, send the memo so you can pass it to your already burned-out team.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/techs-lead...
Overloaded, no time to put hands on craft, all the responsibility & no authority.
Bosses make decisions, send the memo so you can pass it to your already burned-out team.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/techs-lead...
June 6, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Every org I work with these days has a big "director slump", especially in tech.
Overloaded, no time to put hands on craft, all the responsibility & no authority.
Bosses make decisions, send the memo so you can pass it to your already burned-out team.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/techs-lead...
Overloaded, no time to put hands on craft, all the responsibility & no authority.
Bosses make decisions, send the memo so you can pass it to your already burned-out team.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/techs-lead...
“In the past seven weeks, at least five high-profile targeted attacks have unfolded across the U.S., including a car bombing in California and the gunning down of two Israeli Embassy aides in Washington.”
That’s bad.
Guess what expert is in charge of overseeing DHS domestic terrorism resources?
That’s bad.
Guess what expert is in charge of overseeing DHS domestic terrorism resources?
June 6, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“In the past seven weeks, at least five high-profile targeted attacks have unfolded across the U.S., including a car bombing in California and the gunning down of two Israeli Embassy aides in Washington.”
That’s bad.
Guess what expert is in charge of overseeing DHS domestic terrorism resources?
That’s bad.
Guess what expert is in charge of overseeing DHS domestic terrorism resources?
“There are only so many ‘sticks’ leaders can wield before something breaks, usually in the form of disengagement, quiet quitting, or outright departures of valuable talent.”
time.com/charter/7289...
time.com/charter/7289...
The return-to-office reality gap
New data show that despite stricter in-office requirements, office attendance has barely budged.
time.com
May 30, 2025 at 3:46 PM
“There are only so many ‘sticks’ leaders can wield before something breaks, usually in the form of disengagement, quiet quitting, or outright departures of valuable talent.”
time.com/charter/7289...
time.com/charter/7289...
Return-to-office won't improve performance of teams spread out across cities and time zones, and today in any organization past startup phase, that's most teams.
We need to give people the training and tools to lead distributed teams, not remote teams.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/the-traini...
We need to give people the training and tools to lead distributed teams, not remote teams.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/the-traini...
The Training Gap: Why Your Teams Are Struggling
The problems isn't that “hybrid is hard." It’s that leading distributed teams is hard – and distributed is now the norm.
theworkforward.substack.com
May 28, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Return-to-office won't improve performance of teams spread out across cities and time zones, and today in any organization past startup phase, that's most teams.
We need to give people the training and tools to lead distributed teams, not remote teams.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/the-traini...
We need to give people the training and tools to lead distributed teams, not remote teams.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/the-traini...
Good way to remember your mortality: set up a Google alert on your name.
May 22, 2025 at 12:31 AM
Good way to remember your mortality: set up a Google alert on your name.
Fortune 500 CEOs might be cranking up return-to-office demands, but employees aren't obeying.
Policies aren't reality, commands don't breed compliance.
New data from the Flex Index by Work Forward digs into workplace flexibility policies in over 8,500 US-based companies: www.flexindex.com/stats
Policies aren't reality, commands don't breed compliance.
New data from the Flex Index by Work Forward digs into workplace flexibility policies in over 8,500 US-based companies: www.flexindex.com/stats
May 20, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Fortune 500 CEOs might be cranking up return-to-office demands, but employees aren't obeying.
Policies aren't reality, commands don't breed compliance.
New data from the Flex Index by Work Forward digs into workplace flexibility policies in over 8,500 US-based companies: www.flexindex.com/stats
Policies aren't reality, commands don't breed compliance.
New data from the Flex Index by Work Forward digs into workplace flexibility policies in over 8,500 US-based companies: www.flexindex.com/stats
Having watched 3 SNL skits last night about Newark, I’ll take a delay to relieve congestion over something worse.
Still a pain getting this when I’m in the car 5 minutes from the airport.
Still a pain getting this when I’m in the car 5 minutes from the airport.
May 18, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Having watched 3 SNL skits last night about Newark, I’ll take a delay to relieve congestion over something worse.
Still a pain getting this when I’m in the car 5 minutes from the airport.
Still a pain getting this when I’m in the car 5 minutes from the airport.
Eileen O’Shaughnessy was George Orwell's wife, and had more to do with creating Animal Farm than he did, but I didn't know that -- and bet you didn't either. George did his best to erase her from history.
Must-read by Anna Funder:
time.com/7284644/trum...
Must-read by Anna Funder:
time.com/7284644/trum...
Trump’s Orwellian Erasure of Women
Through executive order, President Donald Trump has used an Orwellian playbook to erase women from the public record.
time.com
May 16, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Eileen O’Shaughnessy was George Orwell's wife, and had more to do with creating Animal Farm than he did, but I didn't know that -- and bet you didn't either. George did his best to erase her from history.
Must-read by Anna Funder:
time.com/7284644/trum...
Must-read by Anna Funder:
time.com/7284644/trum...
Think you can't be remote-first and innovate? Airbnb disagrees.
Their massive update and expansion is they have “compelling evidence that …collaboration and innovation don’t only happen when we’re working in person” says senior exec Iain Roberts.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/think-you-...
Their massive update and expansion is they have “compelling evidence that …collaboration and innovation don’t only happen when we’re working in person” says senior exec Iain Roberts.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/think-you-...
Think You "Can’t Innovate without an RTO Mandate?" Meet Airbnb.
"Collaboration and innovation don’t only happen when we’re working in person."
theworkforward.substack.com
May 15, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Think you can't be remote-first and innovate? Airbnb disagrees.
Their massive update and expansion is they have “compelling evidence that …collaboration and innovation don’t only happen when we’re working in person” says senior exec Iain Roberts.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/think-you-...
Their massive update and expansion is they have “compelling evidence that …collaboration and innovation don’t only happen when we’re working in person” says senior exec Iain Roberts.
theworkforward.substack.com/p/think-you-...