Ep. 036 - LIVE: Part 2: The Working From Home Conundrum with Ray McGrath, Kate Aldridge & Andy Lopata
The push-pull of office vs home working is set to continue long into the future, but where might the cards lie in the coming years…
In Part 1 of this two-part LIVE episode we heard Ray McGrath, Kate Aldridge and Andy Lopata weigh in on Gary & George’s views, but in Part 2 we throw our live audience’s pressing questions into the mix.
Join us as we go deeper into the effects of WFH on carbon offsetting, team loyalty, workforce unity, how to approach the issue with younger generations, and so much more.
Key takeaways from this episode:
Understand your team’s motivations
Trust begets loyalty
Don’t command and control - consult and converse
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Highlights:
“Create the environment where they want to come and create an environment where they have fun, an environment where they learn. Inspire them, and they’ll want to come in if that's what you want, rather than tell people.” - 4:10 - Andy Lopata
“I think it's actually a massive opportunity, as a leader, to accommodate people who need to run out and get the kids or feed the horse before work. If they know they've got that flexibility, and you're trusting them, they're much more likely to stay loyal.” - 10:45 - Kate Aldridge
“We measure our footprint and offset it, we buy carbon credits and offset it through offsetting projects. But in fact, the cost to us for carbon offsetting and the data we generate in our footprint was as high - if not higher - with hybrid working, because you're tied into offices still because of leases. ” - 13:45 - Kate Aldridge
“If you're looking for government support to encourage people back in, it's the infrastructure. It's subsidising travel, particularly public transport, creating infrastructure. If a government - and I can't see this - wants to encourage home working, then it's broadband. So I think the answer for me is infrastructure either way. ” - 19:35 - Andy Lopata
“Rules have really helped, like really strict, clear rules for the frontline on exactly what is acceptable and what isn't acceptable. What may seem draconian at first glance is incredibly helpful.” - 24:15 - Ray McGrath
“Command and control is still forcefully there, but it's becoming less relevant and popular. Millennials and Gen Z don't want to be commanded or controlled, they want to be consulted.” - 28:45 - Andy Lopata
“I often ask senior leaders why they get out of bed in the mornings? It's pretty remarkable, the deafening silence that often can follow. The next question is, why do you think your people get out of bed and do what they do? What motivates them? There are only three things: first is the money, next is the recognition, but the third piece, which is the most interesting, is purpose.” - 31:55 - Ray McGrath
Links & References:
Gary Gamp: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garygamp
George Clode: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgeclode
Andy Lopata: https://www.linkedin.com/in/networkingstrategy
Ray McGrath: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rmcgrath
Kate Aldridge: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katealdridge
