Collaborate or Commiserate?

Mostly I work from home, which is great because I’m not expected to attend meetings, wear clothes, or remain sober.

But when I commute 5,000 miles to the office every few weeks, I do notice a special bond between colleagues that isn’t possible in a remote environment.

Let’s call this bond “camaraderie.”

One component of camaraderie is the “being there” for each another. So if someone needs a file, you push it to them right away. If someone wants X for lunch but they’re too busy to get it, you take a hike to Chipotle.

But what about the other side of camaraderie? The “I hate my life / girlfriend / diet” conversation that happens after you’ve shared files or eaten lunch?

I’m starting to think that the benefits of in-the-flesh workplaces are counter-balanced, if not nullified, by the peripheral waste that in-person atmospheres create. And further I think that if not carefully monitored, any company’s “office” can turn into a glorified breeding ground for procrastination, free lunches, and routine space-outs.

Great work places, then, foster strong ideas and productivity and are immune to behaviors that promote commiserating over collaborating.

Because if you can’t get sh*t done at the office, there’s no point in having one.