Everyone thinks they know hybrid work AI, but they're missing the most important piece of the puzzle. I'm pulling back the curtain on the one secret that separates the top 1% from everyone else. This might be controversial, but the data doe
The Counterintuitive Truth
In hybrid work, the best practitioners often do less, not more.
The lesson: the best solutions are often the simplest ones. It sounds simple. It's incredibly hard to execute.
The Framework That Actually Works
Here is a simple framework for evaluating hybrid work. It's not complicated, but it requires discipline.
Step 1: simplicity beats complexity every time
This is where most people go wrong. They skip this step entirely and jump straight to execution. Don't do that.
Step 2: most founders overthink this and underspend on execution
Once you have the foundation right, this becomes much easier. I've watched founders struggle with this for months when the answer was staring them in the face.
Step 3: Iterate relentlessly
Nothing works perfectly the first time. The companies that get hybrid work right treat it as an ongoing process, not a one-time project.
What I've Learned From 119 Companies
A few patterns in hybrid work come up again and again.
The founders who handle hybrid work well understand that your team matters more than your technology.
The AI Angle
Any discussion of hybrid work in 2026 has to include AI. As someone who's invested in Anthropic, OpenAI, Scale AI, and Hugging Face, I have a front-row seat to how AI is transforming this space.
The short version: AI makes good practitioners better and bad practitioners worse. It's an amplifier, not a replacement.
Some teams use AI to get far more out of hybrid work. Others spend heavily on AI that solves the wrong problem. The difference comes down to understanding what you're actually trying to achieve.
This connects to broader themes around AI coworking, hybrid work AI, AI onboarding that I've been thinking about a lot lately.
Wrapping Up
I've shared a lot here, and I know it can feel overwhelming. But you don't need to get hybrid work right on day one. You just need to get started and keep improving.
Founders who do well at hybrid work tend to share one trait: they're relentlessly practical. They don't chase perfection. They chase progress.
That's the mindset I'd encourage you to adopt. Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. And keep pushing forward.
As always, I'm rooting for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q:Can I implement all of these at once?
I'd strongly recommend against it. Pick the 2-3 items that resonate most with your current situation and focus there. Trying to do everything simultaneously is a recipe for doing nothing well.
Q:How do I know which items apply to my situation?
Start by honestly assessing where your biggest bottleneck is right now. The items that address that specific constraint will give you the highest return on your time and energy.
Q:Are these recommendations still relevant in 2026?
Absolutely. While specific tools and tactics change, the underlying principles remain consistent. I update my thinking regularly based on what I'm seeing in the market and across my portfolio companies.