This time last year it was business as usual. Get up early, get into the office so people think you’re one of the hard workers and crack on.
Plenty of meetings, out with mates for a sandwich and lots of chat around the office even though as an introvert most of it drove me mad and stopped me doing my best work.
And then, bang!
Working from home, peace and quiet, an environment where I don’t spend four hours travelling and wasting half my time and I’m producing the best work of my life. Oh, and my manager can’t get at me so easily. I’m loving it!
Is that you? Or does this sound more like you...
Working from home now, massively demotivated, kids are driving me mad and I haven’t got my workmates to have a laugh with. How I miss the office, I’m lost…
However you look at it there’s no perfect solution for everyone (and there never has been) but just like internet shopping has been given a massive boost in the last year, the days of the traditional office have been well and truly kicked into touch.
Why?
Well try cost for starters, suddenly companies realise they can get away without spending lots on offices and we’ve all proved that working remotely actually can work, we’ve just never had the guts to try it properly.
Or perhaps it was the dinosaur manager brigade, of whom there are millions, who feel that you can’t be working if you’re not in the office and they can see and interrupt you?
So, where are we?
We are at a massive crossroads where everything has and will continue to change. What’s it going to look like?
How about this for a way forward...
- I go into the office one or two days a week; it connects me with others and adds something to my life
- For the first time ever, I know exactly what my job is and what I am expected to deliver
- My manager checks in with me regularly to see what support I need, she noticeably supports me more effectively than before
- I have excellent office equipment and a really good chair, it cost them a few quid but nothing like as much as the office we used to rent
- I always take a break at lunchtime and go for a walk. I feel much better for it. I never used to take a break in the office
- My company has given us access to a range of yoga and relaxation based online classes and they’re really good. It’s almost like they care
- The office is now less than half the size, it has a few individual offices, an open plan hot desking area and two meeting rooms.
- when we have a monthly team meeting in the office it’s really good to see everyone, not only do we have a good review of where we are as a team, the social interaction is great
- I am managed much more effectively. The 1:1s I have with my manager, usually by Zoom, are much better quality than they used to be, he is doing a good job for me
And so, I could go on. There will be plenty that works and plenty that doesn’t, one thing’s for sure, there’s no turning back now.
The smart companies will get hold of it and consult with their staff. There’s no room for passengers so they’ll want to keep their quality staff. If they identify the talent, develop it and retain it they’ll be fine. If not what will you do as a talented individual who’s not being recognised and catered for? Yep, you’ll go somewhere that’s got it sorted.
Where will you be working this time next year?
By Peter Thorp, a senior coach at alterniq inspired growth.
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