by Peter A. Arthur-Smith

“Bosses Rejoice! Amazon Delivers the End of Hybrid Work.” Wall Street Journal Exchange front-page article: September, 2024.

Based upon the behavior of so many “bosses,” especially those that like to make headlines, they should also be dubbed as narcissists; whether that’s in business, institutions or politics. They lead the way in our current world leadership crisis. One hundred years ago the stance by Andy Jassy, CEO at Amazon, would have been understandable, when the education level of mass workers was pretty low or non-existent. However, in our more advanced education era in western economies, this is absolutely not the case anymore. KPMG also offered a September, 2024, survey of CEOs that predicted that workers would be back in the office full time in three years. The real estate lobby must be almost ecstatic. It also indicates how wide-spread the narcissism syndrome must be!

I predicted this clamoring well more than a year ago and that it would be egged-on by the real estate industry.  There’s no doubt about a great deal of chatter behind the scenes as the real estate lobby nags away at CEOs and people-influencers like human resource professionals. Real estate investments are clearly under severe strain, especially as longer term leases are beginning to run out. They will be working flat-out around the clock with their stories and PR campaigns about reduced productivity levels from people being away from their offices, regardless of whether it’s true or not. Such hype will be manna to the narcissistic CEO or similarly inclined executives and their managers. I’ve watched the onslaught coming for several months now.

The reality is that effective and enlightened leaders who are at the opposite end of the spectrum compared with “bosses,” won’t be vexing over productivity and hybrids like conventional managers. The pandemic accident of hybrid is one of the best things that’s happened to the organizational world in years. It’s shaking up the differences between effective leaders and conventional managers (CMs). Educated workers will be affronted by the demand that they return to their venture’s offices full-time, where they will be under the watchful eye of their CMs. You know; that supervisor who’s only happy when they can watch over their “pairs of hands” and count their “direct reports” every day! Their minions are just not to be trusted!

Although I have no clear perspective on Andy Jassy, I was hopeful he would bring a different leadership style to Amazon after its founder, Jeff Bezos, took more of a back seat. But after reading Jassy’s latest pronouncement, it wouldn’t surprise me if Bezos is also somewhat behind the return to the office full-time drum beat. It smells like Bezos, because that fit’s his reported, prior management style that he brought from Wall Street, where it’s all about the numbers. Everyone in Amazon under Bezos had their “rate” and heaven help them if they didn’t achieve it. Jassy was Bezos’ management apprentice for long enough. Likely a favorable apprentice, too, since that’s probably why he got the CEO job when Bezos stepped back.

Jassy’s announcement is a sad day for workforce “contributors,” rather than employees. Employee is another redundant term for workplace people of a bygone age. I use the term “contributors,” since that’s what they’re supposed to do – contribute to the success of their venture to the best of their ability – rather than just be employed. From there, they can be regarded as high contributors, contributors, or non-contributors…the last group should have the good sense to try another role or move out. If they’re high contributors or contributors and recognized for it, they should be empowered to pursue the job role that best meets their venture’s needs. This includes working in a respectful and synergistic fashion with that venture without feeling they are under constant scrutiny by their “bosses”. They’re not school children after all!

So many offices were (pre-pandemic) and are still full of toxic politics. Many times people are crushed into cramped spaces in open-plan style, while their “bosses” enjoy privacy and plush offices. However, attending their office two-three days per week reduces the stress and costs of long commutes, especially as they endure our less than stellar public transit systems or traffic congested highways. These are not conducive to mental well-being, as well as an increasingly expensive personal cost.

One of the agreed, weekly or bi-weekly hybrid days in the office, either as a total or partial day, should be reserved for team meetings. Enlightened leaders will ensure such meetings are productive and full of learning and participation. That is, it’s not all about team leader presentations and management-speak. Challenged in the right way, team members should also have something to contribute as well. A brown bag lunch will also go a long way to sustain good will.

So, in essence, Jassy and his CEO/“boss” cohort that demand their people return to the office is both ridiculous and a scam. Ridiculous because it disrespects all those well intentioned and hardworking “contributors,” who have toiled extra hours at home – instead of enduring a likely painful commute. A scam because much of the office-return premise is likely being orchestrated by a self-interested real estate industry, whose chosen, “objective” (?) surveys and criticisms of hybrid work should be treated with utmost skepticism. Of course, there are other skeptics who believe that Jassy’s ultimatum is an “efficient” way to downsize his workforce. I only hope it doesn’t mean him losing all his most talented people!

Prior to the pandemic they raked in profits from exorbitant rents. We shouldn’t be hoodwinked by their behind the scenes pro-office propaganda and so staff everywhere should push back hard against this pro-in-the-office lobby. If need be, staff should instead move on to an enlightened leadership venture, where they are respected and treated like adults.