Secret manoeuvres: return to office

You know bosses are desperate to get people back when an accountant from 22 Bishopsgate calls to tell you that they are hosting puppy play dates to tempt you into the office. Only it doesn’t work because the puppies are so booked up that the waiting lists are endless (note: anyone who can blag me in to film a vlog smooching cutie pups will be due a fine lunch).  

Last week, Tony Danker, Director General of the CBI whispered on national airwaves that most bosses “secretly” want their people back. Err… secretly? This is after KPMG’s autumn survey caused waves by revealing that 62% of 1325 CEOs said they want people back within three years… and the endless CEO op-eds about missing water cooler moments(as if they worked on Google campus?).

The calls keep flowing:

“Help, our CEO is forcing us all back three days a week—we’re in despair—give us some data to show flexible hybrid works.”

“They’ve moved out ‘fixed’ office days from TWaT to Monday, Tuesday and Thursday… with the unmissable inference Wednesday is expected. Next year it’ll be Friday too.”

My view is consistent: 

Every business has to choose the model that works for their business.  For its people, what it does for productivity, and its brand.  And then be INTENTIONAL about making it work. Rather than just defaulting to what feels comfortable.

Main observation: 

Leaders must articulate their choices in ways that excite and make sense to their people. Just sending a memo announcing a change will be expensive in terms of the commitment of the people you have now, and the hires you’ll be making to replace some of them. 

Next week

Connected to this. We’ll be talking about productivity.

Christine