Should we Work from Office or Home?

My perspective has always been that work (or career) is a module in a bigger "project" - life. The whole discussion on work-life balances tries to simplify a topic as diverse as humanity itself into a simple checklist - which is an exercise always prone to suboptimality. It's not that simple!

People want different things from life and, so, it is only natural that they will want different things from work-life balance. For the same individual too, what they want at work and what they want as a balance varies widely & wildly based on what's happening in their life at any point in?time.?

A caregiving responsibility that suddenly came up would (and should) mean a different ability to "go the extra mile" at work. A high life state due to an energizing charter can enable a person to "pull an all nighter". I remember working from 10am to 5am for many days in a row (in 2005!) when the work situation demanded it and when life allowed it. Don't think I can do something similar now - with very different life needs and abilities!

The pandemic era has awakened most of us to our mortality & "shelf life" and thus to the importance of fulfilling the various needs our personalities seek. This includes being (and being seen) successful at work & among peers/friends, being prosperous with a robust networth, cultivating fulfilling hobbies, developing mutually reliable relationships, exploring our talents, giving back, exploring the world and having fun.?

Where can this basket of needs be addressed? In my personal view - not only at home and not only at the office.?

Human beings thrive on spontaneous osmosis of ideas - serendipitous exchanges and chance encounters are much more possible at the office. Learning is a complex process requiring a rich environment that workplaces can afford better.?

Having enough time to cultivate interests and nurture hobbies are much more possible at home and near friends. Physical and mental health can likely be cared for better among loved ones.

A balance is likely the answer.?

A few days at the workplace and a few days at home.?

Many folks moved to their hometowns during the pandemic with added benefits of proximity to family and extended families, childhood friends and a sense of satisfaction of spending time in a familiar neighborhood, along with increased income and savings. These are all beautiful aspects to be cherished.?

However, careers need that osmosis. Spontaneous exchange with others in a similar industry, company, role and career objective. More people who can act as mentors and sponsors.

Even if you employer permits remote working, I still recommend exploring a co-working space where you are allowing the osmosis to work for you. Learning from others on so many aspects - knowledge, behaviours, problem solving, innovation and collaboration.

Plan and reflect likely works better at home. Collaborate and execution likely works better at office. Of course, these are not universal truths.

Interpreting these lines of the famous poet, Faiz Ahmed Faiz, in the context of this important topic of WFH or WFO:

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Let the breeze of a new spring flow and fill the flowers with colours

Do come so that the garden can get on with its daily business

The garden of our careers blooms through osmosis and cross pollination!

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Whatever befell us, we endured but at least on the night of separation

Our tears will adorn our future

Pandemic taught us some important lessons yet balance must be achieved, yet difficult choices must be made...

Where will you mostly be working from?