A different angle: cutting private personal talks and interpersonal bonding can help a lot in remote environments.
It might feel paradoxal, but as there's little context on each other's private life in the first place, private talk stays limited and trite (basically close to grocery lane small talk)
For instance imagine having a call for reworking a service and the other side starts asking what you did during the weekend, which happens to be medical follow up for your kids on the spectrum. Either you start explaining all your life, or you just cut it down and deal with the purpose of the meeting.
There's of course a ton of personal preference, some people thrive in grocery lane talks. I just wouldn't expect most people to be so.
Luckily I managed to avoid socially alienated work environments so far. I actually enjoy working even.
I presume the vast majority of humans needs and enjoys social warmth, and a personal connection. You can escalate almost any conversation out of grocery lane talk with one or two questions, so your experience is maybe a bit on you, too. Also don't shun chitchat, there is subtext, belonging and trust building encoded. It's an offer and a compliment.
Apart from basic needs, this also creates an environment more resilient to worker exploitation.
Yes, definitely, though people going the full-remote route tend to get enough of it to not seek more in the work environment. It's the first time I've ever been in a team where half the people are either actively parenting (taking the kids to school etc.) or fully engaged in a different activity circle (side gigs are ok).
Discussions are fun during offline events/retreats, just not during the meetings.
> resilient to worker exploitation.
Thanks, this is an important angle I didn't consider. I wouldn't drop that kind of inquiry in a casual discussion, but it's something that needs its time and place to check on.
It might feel paradoxal, but as there's little context on each other's private life in the first place, private talk stays limited and trite (basically close to grocery lane small talk)
For instance imagine having a call for reworking a service and the other side starts asking what you did during the weekend, which happens to be medical follow up for your kids on the spectrum. Either you start explaining all your life, or you just cut it down and deal with the purpose of the meeting.
There's of course a ton of personal preference, some people thrive in grocery lane talks. I just wouldn't expect most people to be so.