A better future of work for people and organizations

Navigating the new era of work with insight and purpose
Work Forward helps leaders drive positive outcomes in an ever-changing world
Work Forward is a think tank and advisory group that bases its approach on the expertise of founder Brian Elliott, best-in-class research from across academia and the business world, and insights gained from decades of supporting diverse organizations.
You can have the best of both worlds: an engaged workforce and fantastic results
Build on trust. Align around goals. Lead with purpose. With those pillars in place, companies can successfully embrace new technologies and ways of working to make people’s lives better and build thriving businesses.
Resilient organizations treat employees like customers
Companies have long succeeded by putting the customer first. It’s time to apply that same product-centric approach to employees. We’ve seen how treating employees like customers delivers measurable improvement in engagement and outcomes.

Brian Elliott leads Work Forward
Former startup CEO and executive at Google and Slack, Brian co-founded the influential think tank Future Forum and is the bestselling author of How the Future Works. He is an advisor to senior executives at a wide range of companies, including Airbnb, Allstate, and Atlassian (just to name the a’s), as well as leaders in the public sector and nonprofit spheres. He’s also one of Forbes’ Future of Work 50, a senior advisor with BCG, and a frequent speaker and columnist.
Learn moreBrian Elliott has been an invaluable thought partner, bringing unparalleled research expertise, exceptional communication skills, and a gift for storytelling.
Brian Elliott is a transformative thought leader in the future of work, with a remarkable ability to guide organizations through meaningful change.
How we help you Work Forward
Speaking
Transformative talks about the future of work
From keynote addresses to fireside chats, these engaging presentations challenge conventional wisdom, offer practical insights, and inspire audiences to drive positive change within their organizations.
Advisory
A trusted partner who helps leaders navigate the workplace evolution
We collaborate with executives as they tackle complex organizational challenges, helping them embrace people-centric strategies augmented by technology that deliver successful business outcomes.
Workshops
Collaborative workshops that inspire and create connection
Our tailored workshops lead to real change, including defining shared purposes, empowering managers, and creating lasting connections with peers internally and across organizations.
Featured resources
Discover insights and tools that help teams thrive in today's evolving workplace
RTO Mandates: Hard Truths for Leaders
How to Get Real About Measuring to Outcomes
Overcoming the genAI "trough of disillusionment"
How to avoid burnout and maximize impact from AI
How the Future Works: Leading Flexible Teams To Do The Best Work of Their Lives
Five Hybrid Work Trends to Watch in 2025
Explore the world's largest flexible work policy database
Flex Index provides a single source of truth on workplace flexibility for over 13,000 companies worldwide (8,500+ in the US alone) that has become an essential tool for job seekers, HR leaders, workplace strategists, researchers, and journalists alike.