I'm retired, but I worked as a blackjack dealer and a florist most of my life. All were jobs where I had to deal with the public. I lucked out and never had to work in an office. Truthfully, I liked dealing with people and threaten to go back even though I am older!
My daughter, on the other hand, prefers working from home. She must have worked the past 6 years or so remotely in software and gaming development. According to her, if she has to go back into an office, she will quit and get another remote job. Of course, that is different for her as she is in a high demand field.
I don't think I would like office work at all. My field gave the freedom to do what I liked. Not high demand and not high paying, but it was enjoyable for a person like me. :)
I couldn't agree with you more! By working from home, I save an hour of driving time every day. Five additional hours during the week is truly the difference between getting my miles in and not. And I know many other WAH workers who state the same thing!
I've had to go back to the office most days. I really miss being able to run whenever I wanted. I did tell my manager that I need to run in the mornings so I won't be getting there early. I get so much more done at home (both work and personal) but the unwritten expectation is that we are "visible" on site.
Like Jim I come at this from a different perspective. I have been retired for eleven years and it was difficult at times to adjust to not having to be be somewhere or accomplish something within a time period. The people that passed through your life and in many small ways affected who you became. I wonder something’s about where we are headed as a society, a country,even
Well, I retired six years ago, so went into work all my life, and, I actually liked it. My wife and I worked it out. She didn't work until the boys were both in school full time (financially things were tight, but we did it). Then I got the boys to school and she was home when school was over. I coached both in little league, and got my runs in.
I developed great friends at work. I wonder, had I worked from home, how many of these friendships would have been as strong. My daughter-in-law has been working at home these past 3 year, and I can't remember her talking about socializing with work colleagues. Of course, for much of that time none of us were socializing. And it's definitely nice to have the choice, which I really didn't. I'm glad I had a job and colleagues I liked.
Having worked in a hospital throughout the pandemic, there was no "working from home" option. Telehealth did not apply.A lot of jobs are in person by nature and don't allow for your sort of schedule. You are very fortunate. It is true that American work culture expects us to not have a balanced life and so anything that helps to undo that is a good thing. Europeans in my experience don't allow work to take over their lives. We could take a page from that book.
I ran SO MUCH during the pandemic! My mileage was off the charts! Imy husband normally travels for work so I could leave the house WHENEVER I WANTED! It was amazing!!!!
Through the pandemic my occupational focus was to ensure the building of our new corporate HQ. It was paradoxical given all of our employees were home working - effectively I’ll add. As I read Terrell’s description of his glass and steel tower I fully understand why that setting would not be welcome. We built the opposite. Instead of steel and concrete we used wood. Mass timber. 200,000s/f, 9 stories. Our architect, William McDonough, known for his work on circular economy and author of Cradle to Cradle - has a design philosophy which stresses nature. Bringing the outdoors in. In our building, in addition to the carbon sequestering wood, we have windows that open, a deck off the 7th floor for people to hangout, as well as a rooftop setting which overlooks the Blue Ridge mountains. About 40% of our folks either walk or bike to work and we have a terrific bike room for the commuters. Our building is solar powered. 875 panels handle about 65% of the buildings needs. As a contrast to the hermetically sealed environments? Our building integrates the outdoors and celebrates motion in an atmosphere with plenty of light. We have not mandated return to work. As we opened the new office - the curiosity, and then the pleasure of working in such an environment has brought folks back to the office where we do feel we are stronger together. As I think about the pro’s and con’s of bringing folks back to work I realize there are strong POV’s supporting both. We shook up the paradigm. Compared to working in an earlier generations building? WFH is very attractive. Compared to working in an open, sustainable and integrated building? I think folks enjoy coming to work again.
I am so in agreement with you Terrell. As a former (and recovering!) head of HR and now consult/coach to CEOs etc, I can't believe I spent so many years in the slog of commuting, getting dressed up, and all of it. My guess is it is going to take another 5+ years for all of this to shake out...the office works for some, and it also depends geographically where you are (easier commutes), does the home provide a decent working environment and so forth. BUT you can't convince me people have to be there...most of our financial institutions had OFF the charts results in 2020 and 2021. People weren't there...how did that happen?! I actually have to get dressed up today to go to the closing bell at NASDAQ - I'm dreading it. That said, I'm off of running for about 2 weeks for a glute strain that has been lingering for a few months. Time to let it heal. Thanks for another great newsletter.
It will be interesting how the work/ home balance is sorted out over the coming years. I suspect there will be myriad approaches with both successes and failures. And the real success stories will be companies who can adopt Simon Sinek’s philosophy so beautifully expressed in his new book and TED talk: The Infinite Game. Worth checking out….
Wonderful read, though I'm a little envious - my profession [teacher] needs to be "there", which I agree with, for our "clients" to reach their successes. Looking forward to more of these musings...
I'm a small business owner and the work is in my head, most of the time whether set up is remote or physical but this was a good read for me!
As much as I love Malcolm Gladwell, I don't agree with him as well. I'm thinking that the pillars of his principles apply to the traditional work set up so he would naturally favor that. Maybe it's time to have the remote set up advocated by its own Malcolm.
Working from home is truly life changing! I was lucky to start my full time job out of university in a fully remote role, never really have to go into the office and have been able to get my whole life back in ways I couldn't during my prior internships (always suit up, stuck in an office back straight for hours on end, napping in the bathroom because I was sleep deprived).
I've wanted remote work years before the pandemic, so I'd been doing administrative work in the realm of Horticulture full time while I did landscape design part time. Now after the pandemic, I've had more time to invest in my own business and write my own schedule; I've taken even more jobs on than ever before and so many people have been lining up to have their gardens done. It's so hard to move forward and excel in your own business on leftover fumes after giving full time to over time plus a commute to a different company. I haven't turned back and am doing better than ever. I plan to continue to run my own business as well as pick up part time remote work to keep my value in the field. If you do the math, it's a no brainer. I'd rather spend that time I get back from not commuting with my family and friends; previously I didn't get to see them as much as I'd wanted to. Now my life is filled with more quality time than ever.
Thanks for this Terrell! I’m a high school English teacher & I prefer to be at school in person. There is something about being there & being with the kids & co-workers that I just don’t get at home. I have co-workers who have moved to online teaching though & love it! It’s not for everyone, but it’s nice to have that option, for those who want it.
I'm retired, but I worked as a blackjack dealer and a florist most of my life. All were jobs where I had to deal with the public. I lucked out and never had to work in an office. Truthfully, I liked dealing with people and threaten to go back even though I am older!
My daughter, on the other hand, prefers working from home. She must have worked the past 6 years or so remotely in software and gaming development. According to her, if she has to go back into an office, she will quit and get another remote job. Of course, that is different for her as she is in a high demand field.
I don't think I would like office work at all. My field gave the freedom to do what I liked. Not high demand and not high paying, but it was enjoyable for a person like me. :)
I couldn't agree with you more! By working from home, I save an hour of driving time every day. Five additional hours during the week is truly the difference between getting my miles in and not. And I know many other WAH workers who state the same thing!
I've had to go back to the office most days. I really miss being able to run whenever I wanted. I did tell my manager that I need to run in the mornings so I won't be getting there early. I get so much more done at home (both work and personal) but the unwritten expectation is that we are "visible" on site.
As creatures on this planet. Man was built to struggle, sacrifice, and adapt. Remember what happened when sky net came online.
Like Jim I come at this from a different perspective. I have been retired for eleven years and it was difficult at times to adjust to not having to be be somewhere or accomplish something within a time period. The people that passed through your life and in many small ways affected who you became. I wonder something’s about where we are headed as a society, a country,even
Well, I retired six years ago, so went into work all my life, and, I actually liked it. My wife and I worked it out. She didn't work until the boys were both in school full time (financially things were tight, but we did it). Then I got the boys to school and she was home when school was over. I coached both in little league, and got my runs in.
I developed great friends at work. I wonder, had I worked from home, how many of these friendships would have been as strong. My daughter-in-law has been working at home these past 3 year, and I can't remember her talking about socializing with work colleagues. Of course, for much of that time none of us were socializing. And it's definitely nice to have the choice, which I really didn't. I'm glad I had a job and colleagues I liked.
Having worked in a hospital throughout the pandemic, there was no "working from home" option. Telehealth did not apply.A lot of jobs are in person by nature and don't allow for your sort of schedule. You are very fortunate. It is true that American work culture expects us to not have a balanced life and so anything that helps to undo that is a good thing. Europeans in my experience don't allow work to take over their lives. We could take a page from that book.
I ran SO MUCH during the pandemic! My mileage was off the charts! Imy husband normally travels for work so I could leave the house WHENEVER I WANTED! It was amazing!!!!
Through the pandemic my occupational focus was to ensure the building of our new corporate HQ. It was paradoxical given all of our employees were home working - effectively I’ll add. As I read Terrell’s description of his glass and steel tower I fully understand why that setting would not be welcome. We built the opposite. Instead of steel and concrete we used wood. Mass timber. 200,000s/f, 9 stories. Our architect, William McDonough, known for his work on circular economy and author of Cradle to Cradle - has a design philosophy which stresses nature. Bringing the outdoors in. In our building, in addition to the carbon sequestering wood, we have windows that open, a deck off the 7th floor for people to hangout, as well as a rooftop setting which overlooks the Blue Ridge mountains. About 40% of our folks either walk or bike to work and we have a terrific bike room for the commuters. Our building is solar powered. 875 panels handle about 65% of the buildings needs. As a contrast to the hermetically sealed environments? Our building integrates the outdoors and celebrates motion in an atmosphere with plenty of light. We have not mandated return to work. As we opened the new office - the curiosity, and then the pleasure of working in such an environment has brought folks back to the office where we do feel we are stronger together. As I think about the pro’s and con’s of bringing folks back to work I realize there are strong POV’s supporting both. We shook up the paradigm. Compared to working in an earlier generations building? WFH is very attractive. Compared to working in an open, sustainable and integrated building? I think folks enjoy coming to work again.
I am so in agreement with you Terrell. As a former (and recovering!) head of HR and now consult/coach to CEOs etc, I can't believe I spent so many years in the slog of commuting, getting dressed up, and all of it. My guess is it is going to take another 5+ years for all of this to shake out...the office works for some, and it also depends geographically where you are (easier commutes), does the home provide a decent working environment and so forth. BUT you can't convince me people have to be there...most of our financial institutions had OFF the charts results in 2020 and 2021. People weren't there...how did that happen?! I actually have to get dressed up today to go to the closing bell at NASDAQ - I'm dreading it. That said, I'm off of running for about 2 weeks for a glute strain that has been lingering for a few months. Time to let it heal. Thanks for another great newsletter.
It will be interesting how the work/ home balance is sorted out over the coming years. I suspect there will be myriad approaches with both successes and failures. And the real success stories will be companies who can adopt Simon Sinek’s philosophy so beautifully expressed in his new book and TED talk: The Infinite Game. Worth checking out….
Wonderful read, though I'm a little envious - my profession [teacher] needs to be "there", which I agree with, for our "clients" to reach their successes. Looking forward to more of these musings...
I'm a small business owner and the work is in my head, most of the time whether set up is remote or physical but this was a good read for me!
As much as I love Malcolm Gladwell, I don't agree with him as well. I'm thinking that the pillars of his principles apply to the traditional work set up so he would naturally favor that. Maybe it's time to have the remote set up advocated by its own Malcolm.
Working from home is truly life changing! I was lucky to start my full time job out of university in a fully remote role, never really have to go into the office and have been able to get my whole life back in ways I couldn't during my prior internships (always suit up, stuck in an office back straight for hours on end, napping in the bathroom because I was sleep deprived).
I've wanted remote work years before the pandemic, so I'd been doing administrative work in the realm of Horticulture full time while I did landscape design part time. Now after the pandemic, I've had more time to invest in my own business and write my own schedule; I've taken even more jobs on than ever before and so many people have been lining up to have their gardens done. It's so hard to move forward and excel in your own business on leftover fumes after giving full time to over time plus a commute to a different company. I haven't turned back and am doing better than ever. I plan to continue to run my own business as well as pick up part time remote work to keep my value in the field. If you do the math, it's a no brainer. I'd rather spend that time I get back from not commuting with my family and friends; previously I didn't get to see them as much as I'd wanted to. Now my life is filled with more quality time than ever.
Thanks for this Terrell! I’m a high school English teacher & I prefer to be at school in person. There is something about being there & being with the kids & co-workers that I just don’t get at home. I have co-workers who have moved to online teaching though & love it! It’s not for everyone, but it’s nice to have that option, for those who want it.