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I can sympathize with this, given that truly high-functioning, collaborative work environments are anything but ubiquitous, but I think that these kinds of envi
by huetius 5y ago
I can sympathize with this, given that truly high-functioning, collaborative work environments are anything but ubiquitous, but I think that these kinds of environments are still the ideal, however rare and difficult to achieve they are. I’ve only worked for two orgs that really got it right, and they were far and away the best work experiences I’ve had. I can’t imagine those orgs being able to thrive in a completely remote environment (I know factually that one has big attrition problems since COVID hit).
The problem is that it takes a lot of effort and attention from all levels of the company to really get it right. You also need a commitment to subsidiarity and shared vision, which most companies actively disincentivize, despite rhetoric to the contrary.
EDIT: wording, typos, formatting.
- civilized 5y agoI get that some people love their offices and think they are amazing work environments, but when I probe, it always seems to boil down to emotional attachment. A lifestyle choice. Offices usually don't actually improve productivity, IMO.
- huetius 5y agoThat’s probably true in many, or even most cases. Even so, what do you think about the example of the formerly successful company that now can’t retain engineers? Even if the benefits were entirely intangible, this still ultimately has had an effect on productivity, right? Intangible benefits are… benefits! I think the benefits were quite tangible in this case; I can elaborate as much as I can while maintaining my anonymity if you think it’s relevant. EDIT: more formatting. Can’t type today.
- civilized 5y agoSome people need the office. Some companies run on it. I don't care for it. Maybe we could all just leave each other alone.