There is no one definitive way to bring people back to the office. Over the past three years, we’ve designed and furnished flexible spaces for over 300+ companies. Using our experience from past projects, we assembled the ultimate guide for a successful Return to Office strategy. Our guide contains 6 criteria, all of which are essential to a successful outcome. Company size is irrelevant: these steps apply to companies from 3 to 140,000 employees.
Companies with Successful Comeback Strategies Do These 6 Things
Lead by Example
Leadership, at all levels, must be present in the office. This means everyone, not just executives. By demonstrating a shared commitment to the return, leaders at all levels can help to establish a culture of accountability, motivate employees, and drive success for the company.
Listen
Taking the time to listen to everyone is essential. Returning to the office can be perceived as a loss of a benefit, similar to eliminating health insurance, and affects people differently in aspects such as attire and commute, making it feel as challenging as herding cats.
Embrace the Start + Stop
It is normal to start an initiative only to have it stop. There can be outbreaks, office relocations, and resignations; some may only return to work with masks while others may refuse to come back if masks are required – it’s a challenging and unpredictable journey that requires perseverance and resilience.
Coaching + Management
The philosophy of “I trust you until I don’t” can change abruptly, and it can be difficult to handle conflict and resolution when trust is breached. Managing remote work, bringing people back to the office that are against it, and questioning work ethic all come into play. You have to address what the new rules are and how are you leading them.
Hidden Influencers
In every organization, there are change agents who are not in leadership or management roles and may not necessarily lead people, yet it is perceived that they know “what’s going on” and are sought out for “real” answers. Engaging this group in your return is crucial, as they hold great influence and will bring an outsized percentage of employees with them back to the office.
Space Matters
Your office performance is a hugely important tool you should use to accomplish your initiative and support a positive internal culture. Temperature, ergonomics, snacks, amenities, and social merriment all matter. Pizza and beer will not bring them back alone – you have to have it all.
If your return has stalled, look to these 6 things to identify where the breakdown may be. They are your keys to unlocking success. What to talk more in depth?