Do Managers Fear a Remote-Work Future?

Discussion in 'Off-Topic Discussions' started by Lerner, Aug 3, 2021.

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  1. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

  2. Vonnegut

    Vonnegut Well-Known Member

    Not a fan of the title but there are some great points in there, although also significant bias and broad strokes that do not always hold true. I for one am not a fan of remote work future.. although I’m in favor of a more flexible work future.
     
  3. Dustin

    Dustin Well-Known Member

    I've worked partially remotely since 2015 and fully remote since 2018 and would only go back for a dream job. In surveys I've seen, the majority of folks want a hybrid work environment, 2-3 days remote or in the office and the rest the opposite. If you're one of the only people online, it's easy to get overlooked for promotions and similar. Plus lots of people like the social environment of in-person work which I've definitely felt lacking in remote work at times.
     
  4. Messdiener

    Messdiener Active Member

    It's definitely a big question for the management side of things. Some companies are going for micromanagement (often using tech-based tracking solutions). Others are simply looking at output. Probably some are in between these.

    As Dustin mentioned, I think a hybrid model may be ideal for the classic office type job. Knowledge work allows for this sort of thing.

    I do wonder what it means for education moving forward though. Will we see more and more distance learning, even at the non-tertiary level?
     
  5. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    "I want everyone back into the office where I can see them and they can reinforce my insecurities as a lousy leader."
     
    Rachel83az and SteveFoerster like this.
  6. Lerner

    Lerner Well-Known Member

    Its case by case, in some roles people work remote for decades.
    I had a job in the past with only one day in the office. The rest was all remote.
    Great collaborative tools exist today for the roles that can work remotely especially in Globally Distributed Software Engineering, or application support roles.
    But there are roles that require human in person interactions.
    It appears that mixed hybrid environments will increase.
    As to managers, all the managers I knew worked long hours and dealt with many issues and made more $$$ as well, I think they will be busy no mater which environment.
     
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  7. AsianStew

    AsianStew Moderator Staff Member

    I think working remotely is a perk that most companies want their staff to have, especially if they don't deal with clients face by face. Especially with the pandemic, staff at home (unless they're essential) should remain a viable option. Some staff work better without someone looking over their shoulders all the time... Hopefully they're giving staff more "balance for home/work".
     
  8. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    I teach this stuff all the time. Here are a few tips when in charge of remote/teleworking employees:
    • Manage to either outputs or outcomes, not inputs. It generally doesn't matter how, where, or when your employees get their work done (except when working with others' deadlines and timelines). But too many managers focus on inputs--timesheets, timeclocks, whether you're at your desk. None of this informs productivity. What your employees get done does.
    • Because oh-by-the-way moments are rare in remote organizations, managers have to be more pro-active with their communications. This is especially true of employees who are not yet ready for delegation.
    • Distinguish between leadership and management. Most of what you do is management--keeping things on track, solving problems, meeting expectations, etc. And yes, you DO manage people. Leadership is taking on the unknown, bringing your organization to a new state of being. It is much more rare to be faced with real leadership challenges.
     

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