Are bosses insisting on returning to the office for the right reasons?

Leaders insist for reasons of control, culture and collaboration but miss the larger point in how work has shifted.

According to a 2019 Myers-Briggs Company survey, Singapore is the country with the highest proportion of introverted top executives and senior managers. PHOTO: ST FILE
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In recent weeks, I have dealt with companies seeking advice on making the move to get employees back in the office more frequently during the week and dealing with hesitation, even resistance, from staff. 

In interventions that I’ve run, most employees seem truly baffled and feel unconvinced of the benefits. “My boss told our team to return to the office to collaborate, but all our meetings are still on Zoom, so what’s the point?” one asked.

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