Homeoffice versus Back to Office

The debate about the “right” place to work has been raging for months, almost like a religious crusade. On one side are companies that want to bring their employees back to the office. On the other side are teams that have found productivity, freedom, and focus in working from home. But with all the models, rules, and return strategies, one crucial truth often gets lost: good teamwork does not come from physical proximity – it comes from attitude, trust, and communication.

We ourselves are a communications agency with ten employees. And yes, we love remote working. Not as a matter of principle, but based on experience. We use our agency premises for meetings, workshops, and face-to-face encounters – whether deliberately, purposefully, or simply on a whim. What we don't do is confuse presence with collaboration. Or presence with productivity.

The idea that a team automatically becomes stronger when everyone sits together in the office is romantic – and often simply unrealistic. Proximity is no guarantee of exchange, just as a full room is no guarantee of collective thinking. You can be incredibly distant from each other in the same office. And you can be remotely connected like a well-rehearsed orchestra.

What really matters is something else: transparency, personal responsibility, a good meeting culture, clear expectations, and the feeling of being seen. This does not require a fixed workplace. It requires good leadership and a shared understanding of how collaboration should work.

Remote working works well when it is consciously designed. Successful remote working is not a product of chance. It requires clear processes, reliable communication, and spaces for informal exchange. It needs rituals that create closeness—even without a physical desk. And it needs people who take responsibility and know when a face-to-face meeting makes sense. For us, that means:

• Regular virtual touchpoints that are more than just “status updates.”
• Targeted personal meetings at our agency offices – whenever they really add value.
• An environment where trust is more important than control.
• And the willingness to continually reflect on and adapt working methods.

The question is not: home office or office? The real question is: what does our team need to work well together – and where is the best place for this collaboration to take place? For some tasks, the office is ideal. For others, it is simply unnecessary or even a hindrance. Hybrid is not a compromise, but an opportunity to rethink work – flexible, self-determined, and geared toward the needs of the team.

Conclusion: Good teamwork happens when people feel comfortable. Whether working from home, in the office, or somewhere in between, collaboration thrives on genuine connection – not on compulsory attendance. Teams need trust, communication, and shared goals. Where we sit is ultimately secondary.