By Dorothy Potash

Recently, my teenage son asked me if I ever worked in a place like the fictional Dunder Mifflin in the now-legendary NBC comedy, The Office. I laughed and then entertained my son with story after story of some of the interesting and unique characters that entered my life at one point or another: the weirdos, humble heroes, sibling-like coworkers, doting office moms, the eccentric uncles, and the best friends anyone could ever hope to have. With this flood of memories came a wave of gratitude. Everything I learned, at the most important times in my career, I learned by being at the office, building and managing a team, working with clients, and being led by great bosses, sociopathic bosses, and quite a few in between. I have worked with such a cast of characters: some energized me, some drained me, some made me uncomfortable, and a few were absolutely terrifying.

Some of the most poignant moments of my life were at work; some of the scariest situations I ever had to deal with and some of the most hysterical slapstick … all at the office. Every day sprouted new opportunities for growth, for failure, for success, for learning. Navigating difficult conversations, laughing together, sharing intense pain, celebrating joy. Literally every single day I learned in ways that could just never be replicated if I wasn’t in the office with other people. Collaboration in a raw, organic way is where the magic really happens. Not on Zoom, not in Teams, but in that office in need of some TLC, with its dingy thread-bare carpets, peeling cubicles, and a fridge that may be ground zero for the next pandemic. Offices are filled with people, with all our mixed-up, crazy, neurotic, insecure, and comedic habits – beautiful, interesting people.

So many firms have gone to great lengths to survey, weigh, and plan for a return to the office, only to be met with a multitude of emotional responses. Employers and employees aren’t ready to go back yet. “The office” has now taken on a new meaning: hearing these two words now invokes stress, anxiety, fear, anger, and exhaustion.

Obviously, and gratefully, for many office workers, there have been some well-earned gains: much-longed-for and much-needed equilibrium, as well as more optionality. For me, as a business development coach, I think optionality is everything.

Choosing which days or which hours to go to the office or choosing to work from home are amazing gifts, especially when one has young children or is taking care of aging parents. Working from home became a leveler for many women, and provided equal opportunity and access, maybe even more access. Certainly, more balance. For many who endure long commutes, working from home can provide efficiency and greater productivity. But with all the gains, there is a cost. For those who want to permanently work remotely, and choose to permanently stay out of the office, I hope you consider not only what you may gain, but also the magic and the growth that you will miss when you are permitted to return to the office.

For those who work in professional services – especially when you are building your career, your practice, or your skills – it is important to note that the people who are seen often get the choicest assignments. It may be as simple as those who get the choicest assignments were the ones who were present and first in line to volunteer to be of service. And those who do get the choicest assignments ultimately tend to develop the most sophisticated skills. If always working from home or adhering to a unique schedule that may not align with others, it may be difficult to ensure “face time” with mentors, practice leaders, and peers or to benefit from the organic opportunities that arise when two people find themselves in a hallway, by a printer, or by the coffee machine.

You may be able to help nurture these opportunities if you become very intentional. If planning to go into the office, email your colleagues to let them know so that perhaps you can meet up while there. If everyone knows when their leaders or mentors are going in, perhaps the more junior people will arrange to be there as well. If you are junior, make sure you email your mentors, your managers, or the partners that you will be in, and ask if you can arrange to see one another. The important thing is, whether you are in the office or are remote, you need to compensate for what may not be able to happen organically. Create your own opportunities to engage, learn, and deepen your relationships with your colleagues.  

For the firm leaders, create a place and a vibe where, if permitted, people will want to go. Find ways to recreate and rebuild an office culture that is authentic, positive, and energizing – whether online or in the office – that is conducive to collaboration and communication.

The relationships that we form – the people we are drawn to – make work feel a lot less like work. It is the tending to these relationships that give us greater intention and purpose. The good and the bad, the messy stuff that happens when you are busy planning, really teach us and give us depth, meaning, and joy.

Dorothy Potash is president and cofounder of Development Dynamx LLC in Wayne. She can be reached at dorothy@developmentdynamx.com.

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