Every project I've been on last 10-15 years had been geographically heterogeneous. I find such projects are working much better and more efficiently now. Instead of 2 classes of citizens, those who are in one of the main offices and those who are in satellite offices, we now all have to put in the effort and system to communicate, and we do. We're all first class citizens and all professionals who get work done and are aware of what's going on and what the process is. I dread going back to the hybrid office and the hated phrase "You guys on the phone won't see this, but we're sketching something on the whiteboard here", or when people ignore process or break stuff because 3 guys in a cubicle decided & did something and left other 100 people behind, etc.
On a personal level:
People come in variety of personalities, stages, circumstances, and preferences. You are not under stockholm syndrome for missing office any more than those who don't miss the office.
Personally, I don't miss the commute; I don't miss the inflexibility of hours; I don't miss the noise and distractions; and as per above, I don't miss the confusion that cliques in office can inadvertently create. I miss seeing some of the co-workers, but guess what - option to see them still remains. I spend a lot of time on video calls and phone, and feel I know and relate to my co-workers, with some of them even becoming friendly.
As for wages, sure... but there's no moral "right" I see to artificially inflate my salary due to made up benefits of being in an expensive office building. Either I bring something tangible to the table that's worth the money, or I don't. As well, I'm not convinced "body in the office" was ever any real benefit of local talent.
So, you're not alone by any stretch; and most executives for whatever reason are gung-ho on return to office. But for the project I'm currently on, I anticipate at least 20% drop in efficiency and effectiveness once that happens, and am planning mitigation strategies for my teams.
On business/project level:
Every project I've been on last 10-15 years had been geographically heterogeneous. I find such projects are working much better and more efficiently now. Instead of 2 classes of citizens, those who are in one of the main offices and those who are in satellite offices, we now all have to put in the effort and system to communicate, and we do. We're all first class citizens and all professionals who get work done and are aware of what's going on and what the process is. I dread going back to the hybrid office and the hated phrase "You guys on the phone won't see this, but we're sketching something on the whiteboard here", or when people ignore process or break stuff because 3 guys in a cubicle decided & did something and left other 100 people behind, etc.
On a personal level:
People come in variety of personalities, stages, circumstances, and preferences. You are not under stockholm syndrome for missing office any more than those who don't miss the office.
Personally, I don't miss the commute; I don't miss the inflexibility of hours; I don't miss the noise and distractions; and as per above, I don't miss the confusion that cliques in office can inadvertently create. I miss seeing some of the co-workers, but guess what - option to see them still remains. I spend a lot of time on video calls and phone, and feel I know and relate to my co-workers, with some of them even becoming friendly.
As for wages, sure... but there's no moral "right" I see to artificially inflate my salary due to made up benefits of being in an expensive office building. Either I bring something tangible to the table that's worth the money, or I don't. As well, I'm not convinced "body in the office" was ever any real benefit of local talent.
So, you're not alone by any stretch; and most executives for whatever reason are gung-ho on return to office. But for the project I'm currently on, I anticipate at least 20% drop in efficiency and effectiveness once that happens, and am planning mitigation strategies for my teams.
My 100 Croatian Lipa :)