The Office Comeback: Why In-Person Work is More Beneficial Than You Think

Returning to the office is a hot topic. It's controversial, and I understand both sides. Some work can be done remotely just fine, but there are many nuances to being in the office. It depends on where you are in your career journey. Are you early in your career, or do you have years of professional experience working alongside others in an office? Regardless of these nuances, I believe that being in the office, adopting a hybrid model, and coming in as often as possible has numerous benefits that outweigh the negatives.

Flexibility is something we all seek, especially when life happens, and in most cases, we have it. However, when you're in the office among smart professionals, so much magic happens that would never be possible remotely. Decisions are made faster, and we innovate more—multiple studies show this. For instance, a study by Harvard Business Review found that face-to-face requests are 34 times more successful than emails.

Another study by MIT revealed that employees who work in close physical proximity are more likely to collaborate and innovate, leading to higher productivity and creativity. What is business without innovation? We all want to build and create, and we do it most effectively in person. I would even argue that being in the office is good for our mental health. Studies show that we are happier, healthier, and live longer when we interact with others. These interactions don't even have to be deep connections. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, social connections can reduce stress and improve overall well-being. Additionally, a Gallup poll found that employees who have a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their jobs.

Additionally, if you're in Recruiting, Sales, or any relationship-building business, being in the office is especially beneficial. When your customers, hiring leaders, peers, and partners are there, you learn more about them, build stronger connections, and make decisions faster. For example, I once closed a major deal simply because I was able to have an impromptu meeting with a client who was visiting our office. Personally, I love being in the office every single day. Yes, I am very lucky and grateful that I can do that. I know it's not the case for many people, but I intentionally worked on being able to do it. It involved a lot of planning and organization. Here are a few tips that helped me:

- Plan Your Commute: Make your commute enjoyable by listening to podcasts or audiobooks.

- Create a Routine: Establish a daily routine that includes breaks and social interactions.

- Engage with Colleagues: Take the initiative to engage with colleagues, even if it's just a quick chat in the break room.

If you're 100% remote, don't get discouraged. Find ways to meet your partners in person for lunch, meetings, or offsite events. Still, try to make it a point to have in-person live connections. For example, schedule quarterly meetups or team-building activities to maintain those valuable face-to-face interactions. I'm curious to hear what others think and if you have any feedback for me. This is just my personal perspective, and I'm open to hearing different viewpoints.

Note: The views expressed in this article are my own and do not reflect those of my current employer (a.k.a my Dream Company), Salesforce