A lot of my work is done mostly in isolation as a repairman, but it is a blessing when I have gotten a chance to train and mentor men wanting to get into my industry. I hope to be able to redefine my career as more of a mentor when my physical abilities begin to diminish
I hope those in your industry are able to pass the wisdom they have learned, to a generation in desperate need of it. Guys like me need sober wisdom from folks like you, to make informed decisions about an industry that can be intimidating. Yes, your message is loud and clear, get back to the office so you can love your neighbor as yourself
I work at a company with a 9/80 work schedule and we work from home Mondays and alternating Fridays. The schedule seemed to work and an internal study in 2022-23 reported no loss of productivity. But I don't believe that is the case now. I feel the office culture has changed dramatically. We don't go to lunch like we used to, or gather for birthday cake, or stand around and BS for a bit about other aspects of our business. I no longer hear about office romances, golfing adventures or after work happy hours. I will concede the schedule has been helpful to me personally when I had some recent health problems, but the option to work from home due to illness was always available even before COVID.
Overall, WFH is a misanthropic experiment that has and will continue to "sever" us from our co-workers and job place. The television show is an apt metaphor.
I have SUCH mixed feelings about this article! Having spent years as both a remote worker AND a team leader managing hybrid teams across e-commerce and marketing, I can see valid points on both sides.
The truth about the "people business" aspect is spot on - there IS something magical about in-person client meetings that builds trust differently. When I worked with major brands in marketing roles, those face-to-face moments created connections that Zoom simply couldn't replicate.
BUT... this view misses the incredible evolution in remote work practices since 2020! The false dichotomy of "either full office OR isolation" ignores the sophisticated hybrid approaches many of us have developed.
What about the expanded talent pool you gain when not limited by geography? Or the focus time that drives deeper strategic thinking without constant interruptions? Or the fact that some team members actually contribute MORE when not drained by commutes?
The mentorship argument feels particularly outdated to me. Yes, organic learning happens in offices - but I've also seen incredibly effective intentional mentorship programs in remote teams. The key is STRUCTURE and INTENTIONALITY, not physical proximity.
I've found the most successful approach is strategic in-person time (for collaboration, culture-building, and relationship development) combined with focused remote work when appropriate. It's not about where you work - it's about HOW you work!
The future belongs to leaders who can create connection AND productivity regardless of physical setting. What are your experiences with hybrid approaches?
Right now the most meaningful mentor I have in this business is Mr Bahnsen, a man I’ve never met. I agree with him here, too, as working in isolation sucks.
A lot of my work is done mostly in isolation as a repairman, but it is a blessing when I have gotten a chance to train and mentor men wanting to get into my industry. I hope to be able to redefine my career as more of a mentor when my physical abilities begin to diminish
I hope those in your industry are able to pass the wisdom they have learned, to a generation in desperate need of it. Guys like me need sober wisdom from folks like you, to make informed decisions about an industry that can be intimidating. Yes, your message is loud and clear, get back to the office so you can love your neighbor as yourself
I work at a company with a 9/80 work schedule and we work from home Mondays and alternating Fridays. The schedule seemed to work and an internal study in 2022-23 reported no loss of productivity. But I don't believe that is the case now. I feel the office culture has changed dramatically. We don't go to lunch like we used to, or gather for birthday cake, or stand around and BS for a bit about other aspects of our business. I no longer hear about office romances, golfing adventures or after work happy hours. I will concede the schedule has been helpful to me personally when I had some recent health problems, but the option to work from home due to illness was always available even before COVID.
Overall, WFH is a misanthropic experiment that has and will continue to "sever" us from our co-workers and job place. The television show is an apt metaphor.
I have SUCH mixed feelings about this article! Having spent years as both a remote worker AND a team leader managing hybrid teams across e-commerce and marketing, I can see valid points on both sides.
The truth about the "people business" aspect is spot on - there IS something magical about in-person client meetings that builds trust differently. When I worked with major brands in marketing roles, those face-to-face moments created connections that Zoom simply couldn't replicate.
BUT... this view misses the incredible evolution in remote work practices since 2020! The false dichotomy of "either full office OR isolation" ignores the sophisticated hybrid approaches many of us have developed.
What about the expanded talent pool you gain when not limited by geography? Or the focus time that drives deeper strategic thinking without constant interruptions? Or the fact that some team members actually contribute MORE when not drained by commutes?
The mentorship argument feels particularly outdated to me. Yes, organic learning happens in offices - but I've also seen incredibly effective intentional mentorship programs in remote teams. The key is STRUCTURE and INTENTIONALITY, not physical proximity.
I've found the most successful approach is strategic in-person time (for collaboration, culture-building, and relationship development) combined with focused remote work when appropriate. It's not about where you work - it's about HOW you work!
I wrote extensively about the nuanced reality of remote work after nearly a decade of experience here: https://thoughts.jock.pl/p/remote-work-decade-experience-digital-nomad-reality-check-2025
The future belongs to leaders who can create connection AND productivity regardless of physical setting. What are your experiences with hybrid approaches?
Right now the most meaningful mentor I have in this business is Mr Bahnsen, a man I’ve never met. I agree with him here, too, as working in isolation sucks.