# Who Actually Owns the Workplace? (No One—and That’s the Problem) | Phil Kirschner

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-f-is-happening-to-the-office-7601316/who-actually-owns-the-workplace-no-one-and-that-s-the-problem-phil-kirschner
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-f-is-happening-to-the-office-7601316/who-actually-owns-the-workplace-no-one-and-that-s-the-problem-phil-kirschner.md
Podcast: [What The F* is Happening to The Office?](https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-the-f-is-happening-to-the-office-7601316)
Published: 2026-05-03T21:26:49+00:00
Episode link: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/workdesign/episodes/Who-Actually-Owns-the-Workplace--No-Oneand-Thats-the-Problem--Phil-Kirschner-e3ir4l3
Audio file: https://anchor.fm/s/10c4b433c/podcast/play/119427171/https%3A%2F%2Fd3ctxlq1ktw2nl.cloudfront.net%2Fstaging%2F2026-4-3%2F423389222-44100-2-0a584d6db6a9c.mp3
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Duration seconds: 3279

## Resource

The people deciding the future of your company… aren’t talking about the workplace.And it’s costing more than anyone realizes.Not in real estate—but in performance.In this episode of What the F* is Happening to the Office?, Phil Kirschner explains why the workplace has become one of the biggest blind spots in modern organizations—and what leaders are getting wrong.At major conferences, CFOs, CHROs, and CIOs shape strategy, but rarely discuss the workplace. Meanwhile, workplace and real estate conversations happen without them.So who actually owns the workplace?This isn’t a design issue—it’s a leadership problem.We dig into:Why workplace strategy keeps getting ignored at the topThe real reason offices feel generic and underperformWhy companies are “fixing the past” instead of building the futureThe hidden conflict between HR, IT, Finance, and Real EstateWho should own the workplace (and why no one does)What the workplace should actually be doing todayPhil brings a rare cross-industry perspective from his work across McKinsey & Company, WeWork, JLL, and Credit Suisse—along with his research through The Workline.If you're responsible for the future of work—or trying to be—subscribe.We focus on the conversations most people aren’t having.McKinsey Organizational Health Index: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/the-organization-blog/hybrid-can-be-healthy-for-your-organization-when-done-righthttps://walktheworkline.com/article/all-ceos-agree-where-work-happens-mattersSubscribe to The Workline:https://walktheworkline.com/Download the State of the Workplace Report:https://workdesign.beehiiv.com/indust...#futureofwork #workplacestrategy #hybridwork #leadership #corporaterealestate About Work DesignWork Design explores how…

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