COVID taught us how to work apart, but what are the virtues of physical togetherness?
Virtual Meetings
The current post-COVID world finds leaders reassessing venue flexibility. It would be good if we could do that with a fresh, nonreactive perspective:
- What does the company need?
- What do employees need?
- What do both gain and lose in terms of learning, productivity, camaraderie, and satisfaction when not in physical proximity with colleagues or unplanned role models?
- When are we more efficient working alone, and when does collaboration in person add value?
- Which meetings are essential, and which are unnecessary?
How We Get Shaped
Malcolm Gladwell has acknowledged how helpful remote work was during COVID and, as a mature and highly successful author, he had often worked from home. Yet, he found his return to an office setting with his new podcast colleagues both effective and enjoyable.
He credited his years in an office with shaping him into the researcher and writer he became, emphasizing the importance of role models, mentorship, and casual yet invaluable collaborative learning. He worried that something vital could be lost if young professionals never fully experienced the collaborative office setting.
Explained at the Omni
I passed a long table in an Omni Hotel food court where ten young women sat with open laptops, engaged in a breakfast meeting. “Please excuse me,” I said. “I’m writing a leadership book and noticed your meeting. May I ask a quick question?” The leader looked up and nodded. “I have a section on the pros and cons of virtual meetings and would appreciate your thoughts.” The leader responded, “We normally meet virtually, but we’re here for an occasional in-person meeting.” I asked, “Do you ever feel you miss out on anything by not sharing office space regularly with colleagues, some more experienced?” She considered for a moment before replying, “Maybe, but we prefer working from home. We have some required headquarters meetings, we gather for these hotel meetings, and we can schedule in-person meetings if needed, but we all would rather meet virtually—it’s much more convenient.” The others nodded in agreement. I thanked them and left them to their business.
Convenience had won over unplanned encounters at the office coffee maker, chatting with colleagues, or the ease of asking quick questions in person. Whatever benefits may come from informal learning and mentorship in an office setting, they were confident that virtual meetings were enough. I would love to ask them the same question in twenty years.
Individual vs Collective Productivity
Columbia Professor and author Michael Morris shares research on a clear distinction between individual and collective productivity:
Measures of strictly individual productivity went up when people were working from home… but on measures of collective productivity, especially measures of coordination… that fell apart during the work-from-home era. When people weren’t coming into the office, they weren’t getting triggered by the office environment to think in terms of the shared culture of the organization.
Beyond face-to-face communication, the office itself acts as a psychological trigger. Morris explained:
The office has audiences of your coworkers, familiar sights, and sounds, and serves as a reminder of certain ideals or values. When we walk into the office, we see a picture of the founder, the corporate logo, a mission statement on the wall, or core values displayed. These are all symbolic, iconic triggers that make us want to contribute and live up to the distinctive ideals of this organization.
Returning to the Office
I much prefer face-to-face interactions when feasible. Yet, I wonder if the push to return to the office is truly based on the stated benefits of working together—or if it’s influenced by a lack of trust???
As AI and technology reshape how we write, think, and collaborate, the balance between virtual and in-person meetings deserves thoughtful consideration. Whether gathered around a conference table, or a shared goal, being physically present fosters a deeper connection to the mission.
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When a tribe gathers around its prey or at the conference table, we become more connected in our mission – to stay alive and thrive.
