In-office return: Strategies for infusing purpose into on-site work environments

In the wake of the global shift towards remote work, many companies and government agencies are mandating a return to the office. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities for growth and increased productivity.

According to a survey by Microsoft Work Trend Index, 84% of employees are motivated to go into the office to socialise with their colleagues, while 85% are motivated to rebuild team bonds. Moreover, 73% of employees would go to the office more frequently if they knew their direct team members would be there, and 74% would do so if they knew their 'work friends' were present.

One of the key benefits of returning to the office is the opportunity for in-person interactions, which can be serendipitous and drive innovation, as suggested by a report from Harvard Business Review. Cross-functional teams, spontaneous encounters, and physical settings equipped with tactile and visual tools set the right conditions for innovation.

However, the return to office also presents an opportunity to optimise meeting protocols. By implementing strategies such as assigning team members on a rotating basis to capture a summary of conclusions, decision points, and action items in bullet points and sending them out after the meeting, leaders can limit distractions, increase efficiency, and close information gaps.

Leaders can also make the return to office a period of growth and enhanced productivity. This can be achieved by organising team days, providing leadership information sessions, and implementing hybrid work models that combine office and remote work, focusing on flexibility and clear communication. Some companies, like Amazon, enforce stricter office return policies to restore discipline, though this can impact talent recruitment.

No-meeting zones can be created on everyone's calendar for at least two hours each week to allow for deep work and getting into a state of flow. Onboarding sessions can be held for all employees returning to the office to set clear expectations, build community, and provide resources.

Trust and psychological safety increase when team members spend time together, share meaningful tasks, face uncertainty together, and rely on one another for help. Weekly swarm or sprint sessions can increase purposeful interactions, boost creativity, and strengthen team bonds.

Learning WITH others is better for knowledge retention, according to the Harvard Business Review report. By optimising meeting protocols, leaders can ensure that everyone is on the same page and that knowledge is shared effectively.

In conclusion, the return to office presents both challenges and opportunities for growth and increased productivity. By implementing strategies such as optimising meeting protocols, organising team days, and providing leadership information sessions, leaders can make the return to office a period of growth and enhanced productivity.