Why You Should Be in the Office

People are learning that remote work doesn't replace being there

President Trump’s decision to order federal workers in the District of Columbia to return to their workplaces has triggered mixed reactions. I see it as a positive, and not just because we’re already paying for the office space.

The Unique Nature of Work in D.C.

Many years ago, I worked in Washington, D.C. My commute from Virginia was a minor hassle slightly reduced by carpooling with two of my co-workers. Each of us would take a week of driving, which meant that once my week was done, I could sit back, joke, and watch the traffic congestion around the Pentagon.

D.C. was a strange place to work because, unlike most areas, there were co-workers who headed home each day to different states.

The prospect of after-hours get-togethers was sparse, which made conversations at the office to be all the more important. Computers and virtual meetings were nonexistent at that time but even if they were an option, they could not replace genuine conversations where nuances, slight hesitations, and body language were far more eloquent than what was said.

But what was said outside of the usual project-based meetings often returns to me after many decades. Granted, the nature of my work at an Army command headquarters was unusual. I can recall information about President de Gaulle’s security practices, the Chinese ping-pong teams, the formidable French postal system’s efficiency, an assessment of live-fire military exercises in South Korea, unspoken assignment practices in the Pentagon, and what was expected in some parts of West Germany if the Soviets decided to invade.

I would not have gotten any of that (and much more) if I’d hunkered down in a Virginia apartment.

The Lure of Working Remotely

The attraction of remote work is obvious. Avoiding the hassles, costs, and dangers of commuting is no minor thing, but the intangible advantages of being there should also be considered, such as observing and soaking in the tone and atmosphere of the work environment.

For many, if not most jobs, work is a multi-faceted classroom in which skills are expanded and honed. Although working remotely can be an option, it is not a serious substitute for many positions. Although not as extreme, it has faint echoes of an old comedy album, My Plumber Doesn’t Make House Calls.

The best reason that I’ve encountered for remote work involves people with unique needs, such as child or family care, that are clearly accommodated by their ability to work from home.

An Unaddressed Reason for Remote Work

What is not often addressed is the hidden reason why many people find that they are more productive when they are out of the office. I’ll boil the problem down to one person. Let’s call him “Ed.”

You know Ed. He’s the friendly, inquisitive, and energetic co-worker who is fully capable of interrupting the work of numerous people every single day.

Ed comes by with a “Got a minute?” query that always takes more than a minute. He has lengthy takes on the latest films or sporting events. He asks about your family and tells you about his hobbies.

He is relentless and oblivious to hints.

The Eds of the world form a numerous tribe. That’s why offices have designated “No Interruption” mornings or afternoons. They are why some creative workplaces have “Quiet Rooms” where conversation is banned.

That’s understandable, but keep in mind that the Eds can harm careers in two ways: by gobbling the time of those who are in the office and by nudging people to spend more time away from the workplace in a quest to get things done.

Work Is Not Just an Assortment of Projects

There is a major reason why getting into the office is important.

The people who extol the virtues of remote work usually talk about all of the work they’ve gotten done.

If being an excellent worker only consisted of completing projects, they would have a point, but work is far more than projects.

Over time, successful work is based on establishing positive relationships that facilitate the creation and completion of projects.

Positive relationships are vital to the creation of trust.

Trust, with its components of integrity and reliability, is at the core of achievement.

Positive relationships thrive when mentoring takes place and coalitions are built. They are part of the way we discover and test ideas and where we reaffirm key values. They are intangible qualities that ultimately produce very tangible things.

People are social beings, not mere transaction devices or vending machines. They seek to connect with others and to find a higher purpose, as in the law enforcement pledge “to protect and to serve.”

Those tearful sentiments that you see at retirement ceremonies aren’t because of projects, however important those achievements may have been. The tears are because of close relationships and shared experiences that will be forever cherished.

Keep this in mind. If at all possible, get in to work.