The return-to-office debate is primarily about trust and who decides work conditions, rather than merely where work should happen. Companies like Amazon and AT&T faced challenges not due to office value but because rigid mandates created perceptions of control rather than focusing on employee autonomy. Microsoft's 2023 Work Trend Index reveals a disconnect between employee productivity and managerial concerns over performance, indicating a broader issue of trust. Leaders like Curt Hudnutt emphasize that building a culture of trust is crucial for fostering performance, even in hybrid work environments.
When the pandemic hit, our team didn't just maintain performance-they exceeded expectations. That didn't happen despite remote work. It happened because we trusted our people.
When leaders dodge the trust question, they substitute it with easier, safer ones: 'How will we collaborate?' or 'How will we build culture?' But underneath, there's suspicion.
The return-to-office debate isn't about work. It's about trust. Do you believe your people know what fuels their best work?
This is what Microsoft found in their 2023 Work Trend Index: while 87% of hybrid employees reported steady or improving productivity, 85% of leaders worried they weren't working hard enough.
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