There’s no going back to the old playbook. As leaders work through how, when, and if they should bring teams back to the office, the best strategies focus less on policy—and more on people. In a fresh analysis of RTO trends, McKinsey’s Aaron De Smet, Brooke Weddle, and coauthors emphasize that thoughtful practices, not rigid rules, are what generate real results.
However, there’s work to be done: Less than 50 percent of respondents working mostly in person rated core organizational practices—such as collaboration and innovation—as well functioning. Clarifying goals, scheduling virtual or in-person check-ins, and other forms of intentional communication may be crucial to employees’ understanding of how their presence contributes to success.
As you rethink your organization’s approach to RTO, consider this about the future of work: It’s not about returning to the way things were; it’s about returning stronger.
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