Many leaders still debate whether remote work is productive. But in Hollywood, it has worked well for years. Writers, editors, sound designers, and visual effects teams often work from different locations and time zones. Still, they hit tight deadlines and produce high-quality results.
Steven Puri knows this world well. He worked as a studio executive and producer on movies like Independence Day, Wolverine, and Die Hard. He also held leadership roles at DreamWorks, Sony, and Fox. Later, he brought his experience to the startup world. He helps companies build better teams and systems that support remote work, focus, and creativity.
Here are the lessons he wants leaders to hear.
Leaders Often Misjudge Remote Work
Some leaders believe that if they can’t see someone working, that person must not be doing much. But Puri says this thinking is outdated. In Hollywood, people often work independently but toward a shared goal. Everyone understands what success looks like, and they stay focused on doing their part.
The same can work in any business. When teams have clear goals, good communication, and trust, they don’t need to be micromanaged. Results matter more than being online at the same time.
You Can’t Let Culture Create Itself
Many leaders hope a positive culture will grow naturally. Puri says that rarely happens. Culture needs to be declared. Leaders must be clear about what matters and how the team is expected to work together.
The best cultures are simple and easy to understand. They help people make decisions and stay focused, even when the leader is not around. If culture is unclear, people waste time guessing what to do.
Protect Flow
Puri believes that getting into a flow state is the key to doing great work. Flow happens when you are fully focused and working on something challenging but possible.
To protect flow, leaders need to reduce distractions. That means fewer unnecessary meetings, less busywork, and fewer notifications. Some people use music to get into flow. Others need quiet. Either way, leaders should help their teams create the space they need to focus deeply.
Make Work Meaningful
The best employees want to know that their work matters. They want to see how their efforts help the company succeed. They also want to be trusted.
Too many businesses focus on rules and tasks. That kind of system may prevent problems, but it rarely inspires great work. Puri says leaders should focus more on meaning, learning, and trust. That’s how you turn a job into something people care about.
Stop Measuring Time and Start Measuring Results
Most companies still track hours and meeting attendance. But Puri says that’s the wrong measure. Instead, leaders should ask: What changed because of this person’s work? Did they improve something? Did they move the company forward?
When leaders focus on results instead of time, they create space for people to do their best work. It also helps managers stop wasting energy on things that don’t matter.
Key Takeaway
Steven Puri’s background in Hollywood and startups gives him a unique view. He believes good leadership is about clear goals, strong culture, deep focus, and meaningful results. This is true whether your team is in the office or spread across the world.
If your company still tracks hours, you may be missing the bigger picture. Time is limited. But the impact people can make is not, especially when they are trusted and supported.