FROM OUR CHAIR
RETHINKING & REDEFINING
THE
KEN TENCER
2021 MBOT Chair Spyder Works Inc.
Summer has arrived, and with it has come an increase in vaccine distribution across Ontario. As we approach a welcome return to normalcy, important and necessary questions about the future of the workplace have been raised. We at MBOT believe now is the time to rethink and redefine the modern-day workplace—one that places connection, curiosity, and openness at its core. For the past 18 months, we have learned to adapt; creating cozy home offices, relying on Zoom calls and emails to keep us connected, and leaning on WiFi to keep us from total isolation. Companies are having to decide whether we should continue working remotely full-time, return to the office full-time, or opt for a hybrid solution.
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But before we decide on the “best” solution, it’s important to reflect on the lessons learned over the course of this pandemic. Some people, we’ve learned, thrive on working alone with no distractions, while others find the human connection offered by the office space to be a welcome reprieve from the isolation of their home offices. We can’t deny that those working remotely full-time struggle to serendipitously connect with their team and can become frustrated by the limits of technology. Everyone is different—everyone has their preferences—and that is important to keep in mind going forward. As corporate leaders and owners, it falls on us to think about and balance what is best for our team, our customers,
and our company culture all within the strict adherence to any ongoing health protocols to keep us all safe and well. Returning to the office, full or parttime, is not just about returning to the physical structure of the office; it is also about the return of human connection. With people craving human interaction more than ever, the return to the office gives us an opportunity to reconnect with our colleagues in a meaningful way. It’s important for employees to have a sense of belonging, to be a part of a community based on shared values. Offices must design their space to evoke collaboration, banter, and insight. Employers can make inoffice days worthwhile by creating occasions for employees to be seen, heard, and celebrated through activities that encourage teamwork, trust, and relationship-building.
CONNECT | 2021 ISSUE 3
