Living the dream: Meet a HRD who travels, while working 100% remote

Remote work has become increasingly prevalent over the last 2-years, with many Human Resources professionals transitioning to hybrid (and in some cases fully remote) ways of working. While many of us may be happy to work a couple of days a week from home, some HR professionals are dreaming of bigger horizons. 

The Next Step’s Daniel Ladd-Hudson recently spoke to Brenton Bright who is working as a Director of HR while travelling around America. Read on to hear more about Brenton’s take on the benefits and pitfalls of working 100% remotely, as a senior HR professional. 

A fully remote HR role 

Picture this... you wake up to the sound of crashing waves and spend the day working from your beach-side hammock. Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Well, for Aussie HR Director Brenton Bright, this is a commonplace affair. 

Working for a US-based digital marketing agency, Brenton has the flexibility to work wherever he wants. His role is 100% remote and modern technologies mean he is just as effective working from his motorhome, than he is working in a traditional office. As long as he has access to a good internet connection, the world is his oyster. 

Since committing to a fully nomadic work lifestyle 5-months ago, Brenton has travelled 15,000 kilometres across 16 US states. On any given day he can be taking a work call on the top of a mountain, in the middle of a forest or while driving to his next exciting destination. 

Brenton made the transition to full-time worker and traveller by starting out slow. He began his remote role working exclusively from home, but soon saw the advantages of venturing further afield. “I picked up an RV and started making a lot of short trips... weekends to the snow or the desert. And one of those trips I just didn't return,” Brenton explains. 

Is remote work an option for you? 

The idea of combining travel with remote work might seem like an unattainable goal for many HR people (especially those working at a senior level). While it’s certainly not common, it is possible. 

At a time when many organisations are finding it difficult to sources HR professionals, many employers are sharpening their offering to include hybrid or flexible ways of working. Beyond that, progressive employers and those recruiting for particularly hard-to-fill roles are looking for candidates who are based interstate, or even internationally. 

Tips for making a remote role a success 

Manage distractions 

Distractions are a big challenge for those who work remotely. Maintaining focus while out on road requires great discipline, but even distractions around the home can interfere with productivity. 

Brenton explains that a good home-office set-up and setting clear boundaries to help you keep focused on the task at hand. “You really need to be able to clearly define what is home time and what is work time. Maybe that's a separate room. Maybe that's time of the day, whatever that looks like for you to make that a success,” he says 

Maintain connections 

People who work 100% remotely may find themselves starting to feel lonely with only themselves for company. Isolation can impact mental health and reduces opportunities to collaborate with and learn from others. “Many ideas and conversations spark up around the office in informal meetings,” explains Brenton. 

He warns that remote workers benefit from being proactive about connecting with others. “Maybe it's a Friday get-together. Maybe it's an all hands. It’s important to participate in different types of meetings, with different people throughout the organisation.” 

A change of scenery is another good way of avoiding isolation. Brenton recommends working from a local coffee shop and scheduling regular activities with friends and family to get a daily dose of human interaction. 

Define limits 

Clearly defining work and leisure hours can help to maintain a remote worker’s equilibrium. Determine a way of working that works for you as an individual, but also works for your team and the business as a whole. Use digital tools to help colleagues understand when you are online can also help set limitations. 

“Not only does it help set expectations for your management team, but it helps settle you knowing that you have a timeframe that you will be able to go out and explore,” says Brenton. 

Have the right tools for the job 

Working while on the road, Brenton has gone to great lengths to ensure he is properly equipped and prepared for any eventuality. Solar panels and battery packs help keep his technology running and plans with multiple Internet providers keep him connected while travelling. 

For a more conventional remote arrangement connectivity and collaboration are equally important. Having a good internet provider, investing in collaboration tools and having an ergonomic desk set-up are all important for long-term success as a remote worker. 

Want to learn more?



How we can help 

Are you a Human Resources professional interested in flexible work options? We can help connect you with a like-minded employer and unveil unexplored avenues. 

Do you want help tapping into a broader talent pool? The Next Step collaborates with organisations to keep them informed on and connected to today’s geographically mobile talent. 



Daniel Ladd-Hudson is a Principal Consultant with The Next Step. He supports HR leadership appointments in the Victorian and Queensland regions. With 25-years experience working in recruitment, Daniel is well-recognised for assisting executives across Asia, Europe and the US to create positive candidate experiences.



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