Now that social distancing restrictions are easing in many communities, countless business leaders are celebrating that they can finally bring their team members back to the office and get back to work. While there may be valid reasons why some people and some companies will return to their offices, and perhaps sooner than others, there are several important implications to consider determining the best path forward. First and foremost, what’s driving this decision? In one case, the CEO of a major corporation said that returning to their corporate offices across the US was critical to the Company’s culture. Really? What was this Company’s culture like before the pandemic if returning to the office is this CEO’s solution to cultivating a positive and productive climate for everyone? We’ve heard many powerful and truly inspiring stories of business leaders across industry sectors successfully rallying their troops and likely building even stronger cultures while working remotely under “Safe at Home” orders. If building Company culture is not the right reason to return to the office, then, why would leaders choose this over maintaining safe distance and continuing to work remotely? The following are some key considerations to keep in mind as you contemplate your next move during these uncertain and changing times.
