Episode 64
Hollywood Flow Hacks for Distributed Teams with Steven Puri
Remote leadership works best when people have the space to enter flow states that spark ideas and move projects forward.
In this episode, Maartje van Krieken talks with Academy Award winner and entrepreneur Steven Puri about what it really takes to lead distributed teams with purpose. How do you build trust when you can’t walk the halls together? What makes the difference between a team that only trades emails and a team that shows up with insights that shift the direction of a company? Steven shares lessons from his years in Hollywood and tech, showing how vision, culture, and the right conditions allow people to do their best work no matter where they are.
The conversation explores why leaders should pay attention to chronotypes, how simple practices like timeboxing and deep work hours create space for breakthroughs, and why creativity often comes from unexpected places. If distributed teams are your reality, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how remote leadership can help people thrive rather than just get by.
Episode Breakdown:
00:00 Introduction to Remote Work and Flow States
00:44 Steven Puri’s Background in Film and Startups
03:29 How Leaders Create Flow in Distributed Teams
07:10 Conditions That Unlock Peak Performance
14:22 Chronotypes and Protecting Deep Work
20:25 Misconceptions About Remote Leadership
21:16 Timeboxing as a Strategy for Productivity
23:25 The Real Source of Creativity
29:47 AI, Communication, and the Future of Work
33:06 Final Thoughts and Where to Find Steven Puri
Connect with Steven Puri:
Steven Puri is the Founder and CEO of The Sukha Company, a focus app designed to help people achieve more while maintaining a healthy work life. His career began as a youth news show host in the DC/Baltimore market and later as a Thomas J. Watson Scholar at IBM before moving into film production, where he produced Academy Award–winning visual effects for Independence Day and 14 other films. At 28, he sold his first tech company, Centropolis Effects, to Das Werk and went on to hold senior roles at 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks, working on franchises like Die Hard, Wolverine, Star Trek, and Transformers. Today, he combines his experience in film and tech to build tools that support focus and productivity. Steven lives in Austin, TX.
Connect with Maartje van Krieken:
Connect with Maartje on LinkedIn
Subscribe to The Business Emergency Room on YouTube
Subscribe to Maartje’s Substack
Host Maartje van Krieken is a crisis strategist and decision-making expert who thrives in high-stakes business environments. Combining disaster management training, hands-on experience in global industries, and leadership skills honed as a seasoned sailor, she helps businesses navigate chaos with precision. Whether tackling transformation, scaling challenges, or leadership bottlenecks, Maartje delivers actionable insights to turn turbulence into traction.
Podcast production and show notes provided by HiveCast.fm
