To go or not to go (to the office) – Debate rages on!

I am sure you have been hearing this ongoing debate around WFH vs working from anywhere vs back to the office vs the latest hybrid model of at least 2 -3 days a week in the office. So everyone is curiously waiting to see how this is going to evolve.

This debate is not just between employer vs employee but also between generations of GenX and Millenials (senior leadership) vs GenZ (newbies who joined the workspace just before covid or during covid). A study by @ Unqbe shows that fewer #genz members (28%) than #millennials (45%) embrace traditional office spaces (Link: https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/unqbe_genz-millennials-boomers-activity-7049328741126213632-jh0N?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop)

I come from a generation where we built a large part of our social structure around office colleagues, with whom we spent most of our waking hours. Some of my closest friends have been my colleagues. We bonded over travel, immersive offsites or quick 10min tea breaks.

Some of you may find it odd to make friends with colleagues with whom you are competing most of the time, and here are my reasons why it’s worth trying:

i)?????An organisation as a whole vs just the team: As an executive recruiter, I never sold a job; instead, I talked about the organisation as a whole and how that specific role connected with the bigger story. And to build that narrative, one needs multiple puzzle pieces, which one uncovers from interacting with colleagues from other departments.?

ii) Shared story: Office groups are not for gossip or politics, but sometimes you need your people within the office to share and vent. In addition, you may get another perspective or solution as they understand the context much better (being in the same space). Contrarian perspectives give you different lenses to look at the same issue differently and get you out of your echo chambers.

iii) Building your safe group: This is super critical - to have colleagues who cover you when you need that time, people who trust you, and you trust them, as all of us have those trying times when personal life takes precedence.

iv) Tea breaks and brainstorming: This is my favourite, and I miss it the most. Brainstorming over a project or a problem to solve and the satisfaction of seeing it through to the outcome or just taking a break with a trusted colleague can generate new ideas.

v) HR Policy: Last but not least, in the current times, it's because your HR policies say so:). Embrace it! Although, it goes without saying that HR needs to be sensitive to those who need exceptions, provide reasonable accommodations to those who need and ensure employee well-being.?

We all were productive during the two years of working from home and still got time to develop hobbies and spend time with loved ones; however, building a career requires a village where each stakeholder is invested in your development and a gentle reminder that it is reciprocal.

I would love to hear about your experience now that you have started to go back to the office. Do you look forward to it?