The Return to the Office: Embracing the New New Normal

As the world gradually recovers from the pandemic, many businesses are making plans to bring their employees back to the office. While remote work has become the norm over the past year, the time has come to transition back to the workplace. In this blog post, we will explore the importance of returning to the office and how it can benefit both employees and businesses.

The Value of In-Person Collaboration

One of the primary reasons for returning to the office is the value of in-person collaboration. While technology has allowed us to connect virtually, nothing can replace the benefits of face-to-face interactions. Being in the same physical space fosters creativity, innovation, and teamwork. It allows for spontaneous discussions, brainstorming sessions, and the exchange of ideas that can lead to breakthroughs.

Moreover, working together in the office helps build stronger relationships among colleagues. Casual conversations during lunch breaks or coffee breaks can lead to new connections and a sense of camaraderie. These social interactions are vital for maintaining a positive work culture and a sense of belonging. It's also critical for the sake of us traditional leaders dependent on face-to-face interaction to feel wanted and valuable parts of the team. Think of the egos people. This is particularly challenging for mid-level managers who don't really serve any purpose other than stroking the egos of those above and below them.

Enhancing Productivity and Focus

While remote work has its advantages, it also comes with its fair share of distractions. Working from home can blur the boundaries between personal and professional life, making it difficult to maintain focus. Returning to the office provides a dedicated workspace where employees can separate work from their personal lives, leading to increased productivity and concentration.

Furthermore, the office environment is designed to support productivity. It offers access to resources, equipment, and technology that may not be readily available at home. Employees can collaborate seamlessly, access specialized tools, and receive immediate support from their colleagues and supervisors. This enables them to work more efficiently and effectively. I'm obviously a big fan of providing lots of that support and motivation as a leader. In the remote work environment yelling at employees was so incredibly draining as it had to be done only one or two employees at a time. Now that we're back in the office all of the employees on the entire floor can benefit from this motivation and it's much easier on my voice.

Promoting Work-Life Balance

Contrary to popular belief, returning to the office does not mean sacrificing work-life balance. In fact, it can actually help restore it. By having a designated workspace outside of their homes, employees can establish clear boundaries between work and personal life. This separation allows for better time management and the ability to fully disconnect from work during non-working hours.

Additionally, being physically present in the office helps employees avoid the isolation and loneliness that can come with remote work. It provides opportunities for social interactions, networking, and mentorship, which are essential for personal and professional growth. Also it makes it much easier to use roughshod heuristics to determine who is working hard vs. hardly working and rewarding those who brown-nose appropriately.

Supporting downtown economy

Whether it's the commercial real estate values, overpriced restaurants or parking lots, your downtown economy desperately needs you back in the office. If you are like me you are heavily invested in businesses in the downtown area and those investments are extremely likely to tank if we don't get everyone back on the road for 2 hours a day to overpay for all of the poor service they'd been getting from those overpriced downtown locations.

Adapting to the New New Normal

While returning to the office is crucial, it is equally important to recognize that employees care about their health and safety. Businesses should implement necessary measures, such as back to office mandates paired with mass layoffs to ensure they know their place. Flexible work arrangements, including hybrid models that combine remote and in-office work, can also be considered as traps to find those employees seeking accommodations for their individual needs and preferences over the needs of the company.

In conclusion, the return to the office marks a significant step towards normalcy and the revival of businesses. It offers numerous benefits, including enhanced commute times, increased productivity-losses from traditional office activity, and improved work-life balance with appropriate emphasis on WORK. By adapting to the new new normal and implementing appropriate controls, businesses can create a workspace that supports their employees' delusions to emphasize their own well-being and success. And providing a much-needed injection of revenue to an area critical to all of our portfolios. Or at least mine anyway.

If you are struggling with your workforce in getting them back into the office, contact CEOVations today and we'll help you set the conditions for a proper grind for your employees.