Where we work, and why it matters

Home, the office, somewhere in between. It’s a question we’ve all had to answer in the past few years. Where do I do my best work?

For me, the sweet spot is hybrid. A couple of days at home for deep focus. A couple of days in the office for social connection, short lines, and a feel of what’s happening around me. Especially when I sit near the customer service team.

But this week was different. A colleague’s absence meant I worked in the office five days straight. And it made me reflect.

We talk a lot about working from home being “less productive”. That people are distracted or disconnected. But honestly? I get way more done at home. Fewer interruptions. No commute. No long chats at the coffee machine. I start earlier, finish later, and dive deeper into my work.

Of course, there is value in being together. I bond with people. I pick up on subtle signals. I learn things just by listening in. But here’s the thing: that only happens when I choose where I sit, like beside support agents who live and breathe the customer. Sitting with my own team? It’s the same as being home, only with more small talk and more time lost between meetings.

And then there’s the commute. 45 minutes each way. That’s 1.5 hours a day.

Gone.

That’s time I could spend reading, resting, writing ... or just not rushing.

Some argue: move closer to work. But really? Are we going back to castle-era logic, where everyone lives at the foot of the tower? That can’t be it.

We’ve proven we can work remotely. We’ve proven we can trust people. The pandemic showed us it’s possible. But a few years later, companies seem to be backtracking. The narrative is shifting: “People are lonely. They’re disengaged. They need the office again.”

Maybe.

But maybe they just need meaningful connection, and that doesn’t always live at a desk in a building.

The question shouldn’t be: how do we get people back to the office? It should be:

How do we help people find what works for them?

For me, hybrid works. It’s the balance I need. I just hope more companies are brave enough to let people find their own rhythm, and trust that great work doesn’t need a badge swipe at the door to prove it.