Author: Nadeen Sivic
Working from home was once heralded as the ultimate solution to achieving work-life balance. The appeal is clear: no more long commutes, greater flexibility, and the comfort of working in a personal space. For many, especially in the initial stages, it seemed like a dream come true, a fabulous and flexible alternative to the traditional office grind. However, as the novelty wears off, a more complex reality has emerged, particularly for younger professionals navigating their careers.
While the flexibility of remote work offers undeniable benefits, it also carries the risk of blurring the boundaries between personal life and limiting the individuals potential for greater professional development.
However the demands to return to the office have been met with apathy or outright conflict causing a breakdown in the relationships between employers and employees. The solution lies not in viewing the choice between remote and in-office work as an absolute but rather in recognising the immense value of intentional separation between work and life.
In this article, we will explore the ideas of osmosis learning and career opportunity as they relate to personal and professional development, examining how they are impacted by remote working.
Osmosis Learning.
If you are a parent or even if you're not but you've observed small toddlers at play you will notice that toddlers, with their rudimentary language skills, primarily learn about the world through observation and imitation. For example, when a caregiver repeatedly demonstrates how to stack blocks or use a spoon the understanding is grasped through repeated observation followed by attempts to imitate the activity. This visual and experiential learning is crucial because it allows them to grasp new concepts and behaviours by watching the actions of others.
As they watch and mimic, they also learn to associate words with actions, helping to bridge the gap between their limited language abilities and their rapidly expanding understanding of the world around them. This method of learning by showing is foundational in their cognitive and social development, as it supports their ability to navigate their environment effectively, even before they can fully articulate their thoughts and needs.
I call this osmosis learning. In adults, it is the process by which knowledge and skills are absorbed passively through observation and interaction, rather than through direct instruction. It is the gradual assimilation of ideas, whereby individuals acquire insights and competencies over time, by being immersed in an environment where they observe and engage with more experienced colleagues, picking up valuable nuances and practices informally. Much like toddlers, our human development continues to grow as we learn to interact with the world around us. And it doesn't stop once we reach adulthood.
As we enter the workplace, a whole new exciting environment unfolds before us offering up opportunity for learning new skills and developing in ways that is purely unique. Being physically present at work we naturally pick up on subtle cues such as how to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, manage time effectively, or handle difficult situations, all of which are crucial for career progression.
While some might argue that working from home isn't isolating due to the hours spent on video conferencing calls, this form of interaction is limited as a learning tool. Video calls, while useful for maintaining communication, often lack the spontaneous, informal exchanges that occur in physical workplaces such as conversations that lead to unexpected insights and opportunities for learning.
In a traditional office setting, learning often happens through casual observation, impromptu discussions, and the ability to easily ask questions or seek advice from colleagues. These organic, unstructured moments are difficult to replicate in a virtual environment, where interactions are typically more structured and agenda-driven. As a result, remote work may stifle the kind of collaborative learning and knowledge sharing that naturally occurs in person.
Some employees sometimes express frustration with their lack of career advancement, yet fail to recognise that their isolation is a key factor. When working remotely, especially in near-total isolation, we lose the chance to engage in these organic learning experiences that are critical for our growth. The nuances of workplace culture, unspoken rules, and professional development are often best learned by being in the thick of it, by observing, interacting, and engaging with others in the office.
This requires a conscious awareness on our part, of being in the presence of individuals who can contribute to one's personal and professional growth. And this simply isn't effective if you are not on site.
Opportunity. Or Lack Thereof.
It's often said that you and your career progression is the average of the handful of people you spend the most time with, and this concept becomes especially pertinent in the context of remote work.
When you insist on working from home, the physical interactions you have daily, whether it's with your partner, children, or the occasional neighbour begin to shape who you are and how you think. These interactions, while meaningful on a personal level, may lack the diverse perspectives, challenges, and professional growth opportunities that come from engaging with a broader range of colleagues in an office setting.
Don't forget, you go to work to create amazing things with other like individuals that you cannot create at home.
And so when a person chooses to work from home it truly limits their daily physical interactions to a small, non-professional circle, they narrow their growth potential. The diverse perspectives, challenges, and encouragement that comes from engaging with a broad range of colleagues is lost, resulting in missed opportunities for personal and professional development.
Not to mention a stalled career. In an on-site environment, visibility plays a crucial role in career advancement. If you are regularly seen by supervisors and colleagues you are often top-of-mind for promotions, special projects, or leadership opportunities. This visibility allows you to showcase your skills, contribute to spontaneous discussions, and demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment to the organisation in ways that remote workers might not be able to.
Furthermore, chance encounters and informal networking opportunities, such as hallway conversations, lunch meetings, or after-work events, can be pivotal in building relationships and advancing careers. These interactions often lead to unplanned collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and even job offers. For example, a casual conversation at a company social event might lead to an invitation to join a high-profile project or a recommendation for a new role within the company.
Remote workers, however, might miss out on these serendipitous moments, limiting their exposure to key decision-makers and reducing their chances of being considered for such opportunities. In contrast, those who choose to go into the office, have more frequent and varied opportunities to build their professional networks and to be seen as valuable, engaged members of the team.
This concept may be challenging if you believe in equality of opportunity, but given the realities of human nature, it’s crucial to recognise the importance of physical presence in a professional setting. Actively seeking out these in-person experiences can significantly contribute to your personal and professional growth, ensuring that you continue to develop, evolve and advance.
Conclusion
Human progression and social survival has always hinged on our ability to integrate, communicate, and negotiate effectively within our social groups or "tribes."
But extracting benefit from working in the office, isn't just beneficial for the company, it's beneficial for the employee because the human contact with other professionals fosters personal growth by providing diverse perspectives and support, and reduces frustration that can arise from working in isolation at home.
In recent times, I've heard young professionals express frustration with work, and their lack of career advancement, yet fail to recognise that their decision to work remotely and in isolation is a key factor. When working from home, especially in near-total isolation, we lose the chance to engage in these organic learning experiences that are critical for growth and our advancement. The nuances of workplace culture, unspoken rules, and professional development are often best learned by being in the thick of it, by observing, interacting, and engaging with others in the office.
And while it might seem more appealing in the short term, long-term absence from on-site work will inevitably impact your advancement and financial standing as you miss out on opportunities to connect with influential people who could help advance your career.
In conclusion, the choice between working from home and working in the office is not an absolute matter of one being right and the other being wrong. Rather, individuals should carefully weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option in relation to their personal and professional goals.
Ultimately, choosing to work from home, should not be driven by the current trend of framing employer-employee relationships as adversarial rather individuals should rise above the battlefield and make intelligent and informed decisions about what is best for their future-self.
It's essential to recognise that the success of remote work lies in a symbiotic relationship, where both employer and employee contribute to and benefit from each other's success in a mutually reinforcing cycle.
Something to think about.
Date: 20th August 2024
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