Beyond productivity, the physical office plays a vital societal role. Gensler's survey data shows it's a primary venue where people form relationships with those outside their immediate demographic (race, age, religion). This makes the workplace a critical tool for fostering social cohesion in an increasingly polarized world.

Contrary to popular belief, Gensler's research and internal experience show that younger employees are the most eager to return to the office. They recognize that in-person work is critical for learning, mentorship, and building the "social capital" necessary for long-term career growth.

J.P. Morgan is launching a $1.5 trillion, 10-year initiative to invest in critical U.S. industries, including $10 billion in direct equity. This move signals a major shift for traditional finance, directly entering the venture capital space focused on national security, supply chains, and frontier tech.

Instead of mandating a return to office, create an appealing environment people *want* to be part of. Use "carrots" like a beautiful office, high-value summits, and flexible coworking budgets. The soft pressure comes from sharing photos and creating a sense of a vibrant, connected in-person culture (FOMO).

Merge committed to an in-person office, even during peak COVID, believing it was non-negotiable for speed and culture. The core reason: physical proximity makes team members care more about each other's success and holds them accountable in ways remote work can't easily replicate.

Amphenol's deep-rooted culture of cost discipline is more than just a financial strategy; it's a core part of its identity. This is physically embodied by its leanly-staffed, practical headquarters in a Connecticut industrial park, a stark contrast to the lavish campuses of other tech-adjacent giants.

The shift to remote work unlocked a global talent pool. For specialized roles, the advantage of hiring the best possible person, regardless of location, is far greater than the benefits of in-person collaboration. The leadership challenge shifts from managing location to enabling distributed top-tier talent.

Gensler's strategy for post-pandemic work is to transform the office into a compelling destination people choose to visit. This involves reducing individual desks in favor of diverse, flexible collaboration spaces that offer experiences and social connections unavailable at home, making the commute worthwhile.

While culturally challenging, leading Aviva's turnaround during COVID proved beneficial for execution. The remote setup was a 'blessing' that eliminated travel and streamlined meetings, enabling leadership to focus intensely and accelerate major decisions, such as divesting multiple businesses, far more quickly than would have been possible otherwise.