It’s human nature to hold a bias toward the present. We tend to give more weight to short-term, immediate benefits and underestimate long-term consequences. It’s why we might skip the annual barbecue even though we’d meet new people, or decline an invite because staying home feels easier. Convenience ends up trumping connection.

I think we’re seeing a similar phenomenon in the work-from-home debate. For many employees, the short-term benefits feel so good—no commute, wear what you want, skip the water-cooler chitchat. The long-term drawbacks are less obvious. People may genuinely prefer remote work in the short run while underestimating the long-run value of working together in shared spaces.

Some researchers highlight that narcissistic leaders prefer employees in the office because they crave visibility and control. But I don’t think that’s the whole picture. Empathetic leaders may also favor in-person work—but for very different reasons. Their concern isn’t control. It’s what employees and organizations stand to lose when work becomes entirely virtual.

A Rising Tide Of Wellbeing

During the pandemic, my company, like many around the globe, pivoted to remote work. As a leader, I got the sense that colleagues (myself included) were struggling with newfound........

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