Return To Office

The world is not what it was in 2019. Leaders should acknowledge that.

As leaders around the world call for their teams to return to the office, I wanted to take a moment to share my thoughts on this topic:

1. We've learned that physical proximity doesn't necessarily lead to higher levels of engagement. What truly makes a difference is when employees feel valued and cared for.
2. Asking ad-hoc questions doesn't require an elevator ride - it requires a culture of psychological safety. When team members feel comfortable expressing themselves, collaboration and innovation thrive.
3. Culture is constantly evolving, and top-down decisions alone won't be enough to drive meaningful change. To stay ahead of the curve, we must be willing to experiment, learn, and adapt as necessary. Just because something worked in the past doesn't mean it will work in the future.
4. When collaboration is rewarded and celebrated, it becomes a part of the cultural fabric. As a result, employees are more likely to work together, share knowledge, and achieve common goals. In today's fast-paced, interconnected world, physical location is becoming less and less important.

Although the pandemic is largely behind us, what we learned from it will remain for years to come. As we move forward, let's embrace these learnings and adapt to this new world instead of pining for a return to the way things were in 2019.