Malcolm Gladwell: Working From Home Is Destroying Us! | E162

Malcolm Gladwell is an author who across his six bestsellers has sold millions and millions of books, and his podcast Revisionist History is listened to by millions and millions of listeners every week.
0:00 Intro
01:38 Early years
10:20 How did you learn humility
13:04 When did you know you'd be a journalist?
14:29 The impact location has on your career
17:33 Are people that work too much happy?
25:22 If you could make an amazing contribution to society at the cost of your happiness would you?
39:09 The key to Innovation is delusion and lucky timing
43:48 The importance of timing
47:10 The power of writing
54:03 Public speaking tactics
01:01:49 Are you an emotional person?
01:12:22 Why some relationships last and other don’t
01:17:38 Feedback & meaningful work
01:26:50 Why too much information is bad
01:30:40 Is alcohol bad?
01:35:45 Last guest question
Malcolm:
/ malcolmgladwell
/ gladwell
Malcolms book:
www.amazon.co.uk/Bomber-Mafia...
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[@TheDiaryOfACEO]

Thank you for tuning in! If you could do me a favour and hit the like button, that does me a huge favour 🙏🏽❤️

[@crystalken]

I think you might struggle with this one 😂 I love your channel but this video not so much.

[@MichaelVJJones]

The "Feedback & meaningful work" chapter was AWESOME Guys 👏👏

[@liannebarnard4820]

Thank you for interviewing Malcolm! He’s amazing ❤️

[@flightbuddyltd3376]

Sorry, I didn't get your opening statement " you hope no one is listening" what's the point of you your video if you hope no one listens,

[@claudettejacobs930]

I'm dyslexic and using my voice activated software is a positive to me. I can do my own breaks when I want

[@neonlights777]

“Reduced” it to: 1) more time with family 2) healthier sleep schedule 3) fresher and healthier meals 4) less money spent on lunches/coffees out 5) better work/life balance 6) safer and more economical “commutes” All while getting the same work done.

[@pitchforkrebel5594]

7. No need to share a bathroom with strangers.

[@JohnsOnStrings]

"All while getting the same work done." ... true for some, not all. I'm stir crazy and distracted AF at home. At the office, much more focused and productive. The drive sucks but other than that I prefer the office. Vastly.

[@cevanille1104]

@@JohnsOnStrings Dude, just go to a library, or a work space ? Don't give them arguments to put the leash back on. If you don't feel productive at home, go to a different space with wifi.

[@pamelapeterson2987]

Lovely...I couldn't agree more as someone that has worked mostly from home for the past 20 years.

[@lauramorgan27]

Nope. I work from home and my life has only gotten worse.

[@manteltje]

“Sitting in your pajama’s at home working is that really what you want to do”? YES!!! YESSSS!!!! THATS EXACTLY WHAT I WANT TO DO. YES! Definitely YES 👍🏼

[@mjbogdanov]

100% Full stop.

[@jenster29]

This was literally my past week. I was NOT in the mood for anyone but had a ton of work to do. I got up in the mornings.. washed and got back under the covers and worked and ate and worked ... got way more done than I would have at the office and didn't have to pretend to be happy. .I needed those 4 days just like that and likely prevented a burn out. These people live for their work, the majority of us don't. Let them live in the office

[@pauladavis8419]

😄😄😄

[@phatbaby4234]

Haha.. perfect answer. Yes indeed.

[@gonzalosossa7437]

There’s a difference between what you want and what you need. I’m appalled by the amount of entitlement in these comments

[@samikalastaja]

Only very few people on this planet get sense of "belonging" and "purpose" from work. The absolutely majority of us get this from our family and friends.

[@mjbogdanov]

Unfortunately, those few not only have nothing else but demand we be part of their charade. Very sad.

[@garethfitzpatrick3932]

Absolutely. Society has moved on. While yes, we are social animals and it’s important we interact face to face (even with work collegues) it can be done via all-staffers and social events. Going into an office was outmoded before the pandemic. We have the means, via technology, to have a better work/life balance. Here in Australia this is highly valued. The company I work for gives everyone the option, and it is hugely successful as a result. Also, remote working means we no longer have to pay fortunes in rent and mortgage just to live in the city. And, it’s better for the environment - less commuter traffic, clogged roads, crowded buses etc. however you look at it, remote working is a step forwards.

[@Fefe559]

Some people don’t have family or friends tho. But I keep busy with “friends” from 12 step Recovery meetings, my closest person is the man I date, who lives in his own home, my husband died long time ago. Sibling’s & parents text photos from trips. Some families are not close. Zoom meetings mostly & occasional live ones. I like working from home tho. The office all my life was drudgery-not connection there either. High school drama there often.

[@damianwildfong7278]

thank you!!!! He is severely out of touch and makes a lot of money at corp speaking events massaging his own ego NO BS CORP CULTURE equals Less speaking fees for him he is a bunch of BS corp kult bs was his bread and butter don't believe anything else

[@damianwildfong7278]

@@Fefe559 omg this

[@johnnyvcrow]

I've worked from home for almost 10 years now. That's 10 years of being able to hug my wife and kid when I want to and have lunch with them. What could be more important than being a part of my family? I'm very thankful to work for a company that allows me this happiness. It makes me want to do good work to show appreciation to my employer. CEOs that force you to be in the office when you can do your job at home are just egotistical backwards thinking neanderthals that need people around them telling them they are important and stroking their egos.

[@theSinisterBend]

A lot of senior leadership in the corporate world still has that backwards mentality. They think that their employees lives revolve around work as if being employed by (fill in the blank) is their sole purpose in life and a significant part of their identity. I work so that I have the financial means to live my life OUTSIDE of work. Back in the day employers treated people like people. Today companies treat people like cogs in a machine.

[@marybailey7881]

WHY would corporations want people to come back to an office ? Don't they have a lot more overhead costs then ?

[@eazolan]

@@marybailey7881 Partially ego, and partially money. What's the point of being in charge if you never see all these people? Money, they bought the office building and it's an investment. They can't sell it because no one wants to work in offices anymore.

[@marybailey7881]

@@eazolan so, maybe they want people to come back to the office to re-appreciate their empty office buildings until they can sell them to another sucker? logically it doesn't make sense to pay for an expensive office space anymore, no?

[@NathanMcClintock]

@@theSinisterBend Sure there are some CEOs like that. There are equally some workers who need some kind of in-person accountability to produce the level of required output. There are labour laws to consider in this discussion. Some countries' labour laws favour the employer and others the employee. I like WFH and WFO for differing reasons. I sometimes _feel_ less productive WFH (because I'm in the company of people who are *not* aligned and engaged with my work - i.e.kids and dogs!) however I am often surprised at the outomes I achieve. But sometimes I feel a bit guilty if I pop outside for 3 minutes in the sunshine. WFO is good too. I get to ride my bike to work to get some exercise. I get to in-person meet with my team which is way less energy consuming than endless video calls. I dont understand a work to live mindset. It seems a waste of time. Why not try to find enjoyment and meaning in both work and play? Its complex. Ultimately we all need to evaluate where we think we work best and prove to our employers (who, let's not forget, pay us) that we can deliver the necessary outcomes and performance.

[@denedennie1516]

I listened to the whole podcast and I really appreciate the honesty and alternative viewpoints but I feel Malcolm and many other people completely MISS the point on how normal people treat their career. My mission in life is not to build YOUR dream. For me it is just a job. And I will prioritize my own happiness and family over your corporate community. I have never felt part of a community in 12 years working in corporate offices in fortune 500 companies. You might believe in this "office culture" all you want - it is just hypocrisy. YOU need people to be around you to make YOU feel empowered. Either way my team is in Italy, Spain, India and Taiwan so I still need to see them via Teams and WebEx. So what is exactly the point of driving for 2 hours to do it in a soulless corporate space? Be honest. So YOU can feel better about yourself?

[@walkingeverywhere4k831]

Well said!

[@watchingvideosnow]

Yes.

[@mickandtraceycope7826]

👏👏👏👏

[@debbie8304]

Spot on, when I worked in the office, all my meetings were via Teams. My current role, my colleagues and customers are geographically dispersed. We work effectively remotely. Work life balance is so much better too.

[@celinehowell7075]

Exactly

[@troymclaughlin772]

Can we please stop with the narrative that working from home is bad. My work life balance, happiness and productivity went up tenfold when I started working from home. I agree there’s certain people that it won’t benefit but it’s not a one size fits all solution.

[@troymclaughlin772]

@@Ikr2025 in your situation it sounds like full time home working is not for you. You would be much happier in a hybrid or office environment. I did state in my previous comment that it’s not for everyone.

[@troymclaughlin772]

@@Ikr2025 with all due respect your conflating your family dynamics with employer/employee dynamics. As an employee you are employed to do a job, it becomes easier to do that job when you are happy and motivated with your working environment. As an employer they expect their employee to do their job to the best of their ability and they are more likely to have increased productivity if they’re are happy. The employer has no direct relationship to spouse/partner. That was the foundation of my comment.

[@adamdrakestudio]

The ‘narrative’ is totally the other way round on most social platforms so this rare occurrence isn’t likely to do much. And as you say it’s not a one size fits all, meaning people have different opinions.

[@jonesie8377]

I agree Troy. In my experience it’s been less unproductive time and distraction. Also I have found emails/meetings have been more intentional vs rolling meetings that just waste everyone’s time. Not to mention not spending two hours a day in traffic has allowed me to redirect that time to hobbies and exercise.

[@MultiCookie20]

I agree, I feel healthier only by avoiding the 1-2 hours in traffic, not only the time that is saved but also skipping the stress of the crowded city.

[@KeithGoode]

Malcolm literally said at the beginning of this episode that isolation was a very good thing for him as a child and that the forced socialization of his peers was a bad thing. Then he says people can't work from home. Fascinating how he contradicts himself but doesn't see it.

[@stuffbenlikes]

Yeah, he lives in his little elite bubble where all his friends' jobs do define their lives, and can't imagine that for most of us the job is just a way to make money to pay for our actual lives.

[@sunniearshi736]

@@stuffbenlikes he's the very worst kind of selfish intellectual. His books are banal too.

[@pamelapeterson2987]

Well, I recall him saying in the past, or maybe written in one of his books, that he didn't work in an office because he had an aversion to "midtown" and sitting at a desk.

[@lorrainegunn4111]

You have two ears, and only one mouth for a reason! Try shutting up and actually listening to what is being said for a change. Everyone does not have to fit into YOUR little "WOKE" WORLD; the interviewer and his guest are MORE "in touch" than you ever will be. It is so refreshing NOT to hear two intelligent meniscus such diverse topics without whining about their impoverished background, to appreciate the support and sacrifices their parents made for their benefit, and do it with such humility, in spite of their personal success, and wealth. It would be so much more "POPULAR" these days for young men of colour to ramble on about "how they were abused and slighted because they were not white, how they "FELT" that they were mistreated, and never "FIT IN" -- blah, blah, blah!

[@Vielenberg]

As of Sep 17th, 2022 this video has 2086 likes and 11860 dislikes.

[@Christina-cf9ot]

For practically all of human civilization "work from home" was basically what we did. Local farms, local businesses, shops on the ground floor of a house, etc. The idea that we should find meaning and community at an office (away from your local community and family) would be foreign to anyone pre-industrial revolution. Most people who commuted into the office are traveling at least an hour a day, at one point I did three hours when I worked in DC. That's hours of my life each that I wasn't doing anything particularly useful, or meaningful, and it was miserable. Got home too tired to do anything. WFH means I can do chores during the day (breaks), and have the evenings to do truly meaningful activities like connect with friends and family, volunteer, do crafting or projects, or just relax without guilt. Honestly, I kind of pity this guy if his only meaning in life comes from his work and his only social is with coworkers.

[@thefinalwatcher]

I did customer service for bit before the pandemic at home. The job itself sucked but I loved the freedom. If I could get better pay I'd go right back to WFH.

[@kutzcd]

And, he’s an author and speaker. He’s not doing all that from an office. He’s a hypocrite as a non-office worker telling office workers to go back.

[@troyharvey5516]

The self deception in this thread is enormous. I'm not saying that WFH can't be successful. But as a manager, it is much more work to make it successful and highly dependent on the individual contributor to make it so. Long term, does it build the most successful psychological outcomes? I'm not convinced. From observing 100 people working under, WFH does not have the same success ratio of in-office. Yes, people worked from "home" in the past. Meaning spending long hours outside doing physical labor WITH their workmates. Workmates could have been a small group: just family, or extended family, or a village. But it was still a team working towards a singular outcome. That is not the same as the isolation of people working remote on a computer.

[@marybailey7881]

WHY would corporations want people to come back to an office ? Don't they have a lot more overhead costs then ?

[@analyticalmindset]

@@troyharvey5516 It does not matter that you aren't convinced. The data shows the productivity of American companies increased during WFM. On average, those who work from home spend 10 minutes less a day being unproductive, work one more day a week, and are 47% more productive. I'm sorry your 100 employees are the statistical outliers.

[@jeffriesmovies]

It’s so profoundly weird and false for a writer, who has to do the bulk of his substantive work alone in a room presumably at home, to deride that exact workstyle in this way.

[@sunniearshi736]

he's admitted openly at the end of the interview that he hasn't known how to treat people in service or menial jobs kindly; he's just the kind of selfish intellectual who has illusions of who he is but can't register his own hypocrisy. It's all about his own bourgeois comforts. A very unlikeable person.

[@finnsya8054]

He's probably getting paid for his "opinion".

[@JPCommenting]

@@finnsya8054 Big facts, companies just want to have somewhere to refer to and say "See I told you its more effective for you to come to the office, it says so in this book" like a bunch of dicks, he knows this, this is why he wrote what he wrote. He even talks about how nice it was to be able to not socialize with randos when he was younger lol.

[@jizamurai]

Notice how Steve doesn’t reply to these comments

[@melize7035]

@@sunniearshi736 he’s such a tool.

[@menow7903]

Thanks Malcolm. being able to work from home is the best thing that ever happened to me. I don't travel on overcrowded, expensive transport to spend hours with people playing power games, I get up early, dress well and exercise and have saved money which goes to my charities and helping other family members. I thank God for the opportunity.

[@shellstoll7160]

I was enjoying this interview until the part about how sad it is working from home. I could not disagree more. I've been working from home for 20 years as an illustrator. My home office is sunny with lots of plants my family and pets. I can listen to stimulating interviews like this. In years past when I worked in offices, my space was a cubicle, drab colors, facing the wall, no windows. How can anyone expect a creative to pump out happy work in that environment. Leave me alone, I'm never going back to work in an office. I have a wonderful job on the west coast, I work in the midwest. I love my job and I love the people I work with. But being in an office is not the best place for any kind of focused creative work. I'm very good at what I do and I will make my own decisions for who and where I work.

[@AlaskanTiger23]

Yep! I wonder if either of these two worked 8 hours a day(or more), five days a week for YEARS/decades in a cube where you get to hear EVERYTHING your co-workers say, do, eat, drink, etc? I'm betting neither of them ever did that for long (or ever). CEOs with corner offices with a view, doors they can close, assistants doing everything for them, sycophants stopping by to tell them how great they are, etc love working in an office. Shocker. But when you instead have to listen to the inane babbling of your idiot coworker and have people constantly interrupting your flow to ask how your weekend was and other small talk? You see 'corporate culture' for the utter BS that it is. I don't have a creative type job, but I am much more productive without interruptions and constant noise to distract me, let alone hours less commute every day.

[@pauladavis8419]

Exactly!!! "THEY" get the offices with windows and sunlight and u are stuck in the middle in a cubicle.

[@jankutac9753]

Hell yeah, I hate working with colleagues around talking about their annoying family lives or the price of their rent while I'm trying to concentrate

[@msthangndcmetro]

Exactly

[@trininyx]

@@jankutac9753 Or what everyone is having for lunch.

[@fishbone3333]

I have news for you Gladwell: the feeling of "belonging" and "purpose" I achieve is derived from my family and friends and all of my activities and hobbies OUTSIDE of work. If someone needs to work in an office to achieve that sense of belonging, then it is those people that I pity and it is those people who should rethink their priorities. I question the motives of anyone who asserts that working from home is a detriment to the social fabric.

[@chrisreilly6061]

This is the best comment ever. So spot on!

[@marybailey7881]

WHY would corporations want people to come back to an office ? Don't they have a lot more overhead costs then ?

[@Tish1068]

Exactly how I feel.

[@Fafles]

👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@kiodour]

Well stated.

[@DanZeshan]

Lol. The notion that people working from home just ‘sit in their pyjamas’ doing nothing all day is ridiculous! I’ve been working 2 jobs from home for over a year now. I’ve essentially doubled my income and was able to explore a whole new industry, expanding my skills and income at twice the rate. Don’t even get me started on the hugely significant positive impact this has had on my mental health, compared to working in a fucking office every day. Nobody can tell me that WFH is bad!

[@paballomakgopa]

I agree with you a 💯 % working from home is more productive for some of us

[@garethwilliams3048]

I agree ! Also if these people in power actually want to save the planet more people working from home are not polluting the planet driving to work or catching public transport.

[@krystianfeigenbaum238]

I think the guy simply doesn't know what he's talking about.

[@cheryldickenson305]

Such a weird interview! Totally agree with you

[@kenfujimoto47]

The benefit to you as an individual is clear. The “benefit” to each of your two employers is where I wonder… This is probably where employers need to start paying more based on output and impact over getting one to commit their entire working hours to that employer.

[@walkingeverywhere4k831]

The sheer AUDACITY Malcolm has to tell others to go back to the office while he himself is working from home is simply mindblowing!! Let's put him in a cubicle or in an open office for a year and show him how THAT works in his own "best interest"!! SMH!!

[@jenster29]

Ha add in no open windows and recycled air combined with headache inducing office lighting

[@shelley222]

​@jenster29 ugh that migraine inducing lighting, I will never miss! The natural light I sit or stand in every day, along with fresh air, while I work is so much healthier.

[@DardanAirlines]

Remote workers aren’t lacking social connection. We work from coffee shops, parks, beaches, etc. The people we work around don’t stress us out because they don’t work at our company. In my 14 year career of mostly office work, I’ve found the last three years of purely remote work to be the most productive, most happy work years of my life.

[@musicinsession]

Fuck yeah brother!!!

[@toasted_.coconut]

This is a classic case of projection. Malcom himself has worked from home for years. Whatever 'disconnect' from society he feels, is his alone.

[@notsure7874]

Notice that "just rolled out of bed to my home studio" look :D Omg - I see bed head!

[@jlogan2228]

plus, idk abt the rest of you, i dont go to work to make friends, i go to get my job done, get paid, and go home so i can be with my actual family and friends.

[@ceelothatmane9421]

@@jlogan2228 FACTUAL assertion. I lost it When he said “it became pay vs pay” as if that’s a bad thing. They precisely what it’s SUPPOSED to be. Can you pay me more than that other company? No? Well I guess I’m at that other company then.

[@sonofCW]

In your opinion. That's ok.

[@ceelothatmane9421]

@@sonofCW it’s a fact. That’s not an opinion 😂

[@ohnojoeyjoejoe]

This is the story from workaholics. “If it’s just a paycheck,” that’s how MOST people work - and there are those who don’t love to work no matter what what and would rather have a life. When you’re working to live, cutting out a commute gives back a ton of time to take care of life.

[@jlogan2228]

not having to commute, and being at home to do chores during the day on my breaks and lunch hour has legit been a game changer. Now, when i get off work, i have so much more time for other things bc im not sitting in the car for any hour then walking into my house thinking now i gotta do x,y,z

[@anonymousf7byyj]

For any 20-22 year olds: don’t let a CEO mug you off with “togetherness”, they don’t think about togetherness when they inevitably shaft you.

[@Vielenberg]

This video currently has 2K likes and 12K dislikes.

[@MissLizzy882]

YES! Joe G, so right! 👏🏻

[@indrinita]

@@Vielenberg just curious how you're able to see the like - dislike ratio. I most definitely disliked this stupid video.

[@TarAldarion]

Have never been happier working from home. I have no desire to "belong to something" at work. I enjoy the work, but enjoy time with people I have chosen to be around outside of work life, not work colleagues. We don't all just sit at home and become disconnected, it is up to a person to have meaningful relationships outside of work. We meet up, play football, have events, and if I like somebody from work I invite them. Several companies around me have forced people back a few days a week and even that is causing a mass exodus and it is funny for people that run companies, and therefore have much more money and freedom, to tell people what to do, or what is best for them - when clearly the people have spoken. People that tend to want to own companies, be rich, create these things are very different from the average person like myself, that just enjoy their lives and do not care for money or power or to be an entrepreneur. A lot of people higher up are very out of touch with the average person, their desires and needs. Especially if it is someone less off, say somebody doing mundane work - their lives are massively enriched with the freedom of working at home. Not to mention that at home you get to see your kids much more often and be more of a family. I'll happily stay at home, hang out with my girlfriend and cat during the day, friends in the evening, not have hours of commuting, have much more energy for what I want to do in my spare time.

[@celinehowell7075]

Exactly. Work does not need to be your social life as well as your work.

[@metabolic_jam]

Very well put!

[@cindyfern]

I agree. At first it did make me depressed but I think that it was because during the pandemic, no one was meeting up. But then I got to thinking of all the things WFH can do for me. Instead of dwelling on the negatives, we should change our perspectives and work style/habits if you want to make it work. But I must say, I miss potlucks and free lunches.

[@Hq11123]

Of course it’s not for everyone but for those of us with young children and a home with enough room for a dedicated workspace or home office, working from home is a godsend. I get why some people, like those who live alone or with parents or who don’t have a good workspace might want to work in an office, but I feel like guys like this who criticize wfh for everyone are trying to get a lot more out of their work relationships than the average person wants or needs. I like my job, but my job is primarily a means to support my family. I don’t need to feel like I’m “part of something” at work. It’s a business relationship not a second family and after you’ve been laid off once in your career you understand that.

[@chang958]

Yes, you're so right. Shocking that Gladwell doesn't realize how people may be TREATED BETTER OUTSIDE of the randomly assigned coworkers/ office culture one is STUCK IN for 8 hours or more.

[@theSinisterBend]

I've been working 2 days at the office, 3 days from home since 2020 and I love it. I get to make my sons breakfast in the morning, see him off to school and be there when he gets off the bus. That's priceless. My sleep schedule and diet improved and I typically get a workout in on my "lunch break". When the pandemic hit our entire sales team worked from home for months. When they were required to come back to the office full time I spoke to a number of them about their work from home experience. Every one of them said their health improved, their mood improved, stress levels went way down and a number of them lost weight. I'm sorry Malcom but working in an office 40+ hours a week is literally destroying us. I am just as, if not more productive at home than in the office.

[@justsayin397]

Most people get fatter working from home … FACT!

[@shik4488]

Going back to the office every workday has severely reduced my happiness. I thrived under quarantine working from home. It was my renaissance period where I picked up multiple skills and certifications, connected With myself better, got plenty of sleep and kept in touch with loved ones better.

[@mllenessmarie]

I live in Europe, work in IT industry and have been WFH since the pandemic. In the beginning I was pretty hesitant how it's exactly going to work (because that was such complex operation to send everyone home), but once I started I cannot imagine myself working fully in office ever again. I suddenly have had so much time not being wasted on preparing myself to leave and on commuting to work. I spent all this time developing my skills and got promoted twice (and another promotion is now on the horizon actually). Maybe for managers or people working in departments that thrive from interactions, working from the office or hybrid work is better (and I respect that), but I belong to a group that "does the job, does it timely and with quality, and logs out". I have no intention to feel any sense of belonging to a company, because any company actually punishes the employees that have worked for many years by overlooking them and paying more any newcomers. So it's an unwritten rule that within the tech industry we should change the companies every x years. And as for interactions with employees - I can spend time with colleagues I like outside of work just fine. I don't need to interact with everyone every single day. Actually, I think that I'd go absolutely crazy if I had to do that Mon - Fri. I once saw a comment saying that companies want employees back in offices, because there are a lot of middle managers that suddenly are without nothing to do - since everyone is WFH and people are managing themselves pretty well, so there's no need for this micromanaging. I couldn't agree more to be honest.

[@cevanille1104]

How difficult is it to jump to an IT job ?

[@mllenessmarie]

@@cevanille1104 Oh sorry, missed the notification. 😉 And it depends whether you mean manager (delivery manager, product manager)/consultant/controller type of job, or even in departments such as legal and compliance, HR, finances etc., or engineer/technician/technical specialist/operator type. The first ones are much simpler because it's the typical manager-like stuff (Excel, Scrum, Agile, endless meetings and calls, soft skills) just as in any company, just barely any technical knowledge is needed to know what it's about, it's all about managing people, resources and processes. Second group requires specific education obviously, it depends whether you're in HR, legal or financial. Now the third group is obviously the one most specific one - you can either go with a standard CompSci major route or if you don't have it, you can still enter IT workplace if you are self-taught (that's where various IT certifications are necessary). Most people give a go at programming, but there are plenty of other fields too: Windows, Linux, networking, security, firewalls, storage, backup, database, virtualization, clouds, mobile management, hardware and asset management. I hope that answers your question!

[@patrickdavenport6254]

Malcolm runs no offices nor has he worked in any. Perfect person to lecture others on the topic.

[@Constantin9va]

He actually does run an office. But the office is a residential property owned by Gladwell and “rented” by his own company (Pushkin whatever tf)! Major Adam from We-work vibes.

[@mjbogdanov]

Hypocrisy at its finest!! Tell me you're out of touch without saying your out of touch!!

[@vs0063]

First, let me say I've been a fan of this man's work in the past. But now... Mr. Gladwell is taking this viewpoint PURELY for the companies who are upset they are paying for huge offices that are EMPTY. We have to embrace change. The pandemic changed the world. I think we've all learned to adapt, we've had to, not be stuck in one way to do things. So Malcom, great job trying to 'make your case' for corporations that pay you to speak. I imagine this work from home culture has effected your income, as companies would hire you to drive to their offices, speak to the masses, get paid, you're a public speaker. However, as you can see, Mr. Gladwell, we're still listening to you, just saving gas and time from the commute to hear you express yourself. Embrace change, everyone else on the planet is, instead of trying to force going backward, we're all moving forward. Join us, sir. 🌎

[@JSluzewski]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@MethosOhio]

Got to love these CEOs just hoping for a recession so they have leverage to make people do what they clearly don't want to do.

[@StorytellingHeadshots]

I know right?!? This is really Disgusting and this interviewer truly exposed his cards.He wants to create the illusion of belonging is order to pay people less (ie “ Without company “culture” we’d have to compete just on salary”.) Well, substandard pay with pizza partys may work on the naive 20 year olds but once you start to learn your value you are outta there. Ps This sort of dysfunctional thinking is literally what the terrible boss in the tv show The Office was doing. Making out that his employees were his friends and family was the reason why they stared at the camera and groaned.

[@pitchforkrebel5594]

I'd bet a mountain of money Gladwell is being paid by the BRT or Chamber of Commerce to shill this. They seem to like to use depersonalization and humiliation to get you to fall in line.

[@joanslate3432]

Attitude?

[@MarkFrancisco_354]

Exactly.

[@cevanille1104]

He also speaks about health while looking unhealthy !

[@fluxoteen]

I'm happier than ever sitting in my Pjs doing a full days work from my spare room. Certainly outweighs the mental drain of 2+ hours commuting everyday to do exactly the same thing (except the pyjamas) elsewhere

[@Jon-hb6gx]

Wow, makes sense, that's an awful commute.

[@haroldtorres2710]

Wow! Not to think like that?! That Comute is your Biggest Struggle with work! I mean come on! Don't you feel desocialization with that way of doing your work? Or let alone feel trapped doing the same thing over and over again?!

[@katykatforeverx]

@@haroldtorres2710 lol you’re def sarcastic rn

[@Gingerspice666]

@@haroldtorres2710 I work from home and see my friends and family more. My social life has improved with the time I save from not having to go to the office. Now I work work hours and immediately can start my real life. Don’t you have friends and family of your own? Why does the office need to supplement that?

[@bluesteel1]

Pycharm + Pyjamas = Dream combo

[@adamellisx]

My wife works from home since Covid and it has been a blessing. We are closer now than ever before; way more productive and able to participate in team meetings every day.

[@maryhalverson5713]

Working at home strengthens marriages and is of tremendous benefit for children. Office work is clearly toxic in so many ways (and only necessary in the eyes of out of touch, control freak CEOs.)

[@youngloenoe]

Working from home allowed me to get mentorship and connect with so many people in my job that I never met before when we all worked in different offices. It allowed me to move to a better location and acquire balance. Working from home is a blessing.

[@juliuszhorst8083]

Working from home is the best thing to happen for work culture since free Saturdays and nobody will convince me otherwise.

[@lindsay_dee]

I've never seen a greater improvement in my work life and job satisfaction (at 35) than switching to working from home. I have no interested in 'belonging' at work - because I don't want to belong at work. Moreover, I dont want to belong TO work. WFH is the future of a balanced workforce. Unfortunately for business, this does mean people will take less sh it collectively from workplaces.

[@jamesmilligan9496]

Belonging at work seems absolutely alien to me.

[@UKLeonie]

True Facts 💯

[@bakeraus]

Belonging at work is basically just other people wanting to be over invested in your life which they aren't welcome to.

[@advocate1563]

The problem is not for mid career folk but for the new UGs who need mentorship and need socialised work to form deep networks. We are starting to observe our UGs "fail to launch" into graduate jobs because there isn't enough knowledge to skills transfer.

[@lindsay_dee]

@@advocate1563 Time to adapt I guess - that's for people managers to figure out

[@samprosser]

Expenditure when attending office full time: £700 a month Childcare £250 a month Fuel £280 a month Dog Walker 2 hours + a day commuting Just the absolute basics there. Not even mentioning all the non-financial benefits that come with WFH.

[@gracethompson6926]

For me, childcare would still be the same. How you gonna work and look after children? It’s really difficult to give 100% to both things for me

[@samprosser]

@@gracethompson6926 That's a fair point, I think it will of course depend on the age of the children. But at the very least, without the commute it means childcare can be started later in the mornings and end earlier in the evenings.

[@juliancardarelli2078]

In most cases you are expected to still seek child care when working from home. That is a normal job expectation.

[@mjbogdanov]

Malcolm doesn't understand why your list is a problem. Just like Bill Gates on Ellen when he played a game similar to The Price is Right and estimated a box of Macaroni & Cheese was $16. These people have no concept of what life is like for average people.

[@MythicalMeraxes]

For someone who works from cafes most of the time to be your guest on this topic stinks of hypocrisy so badly that it’s laughable. Let’s be honest. You need people in offices to support the egos of senior management. That’s all this is about. There’s nothing about cubicle farms, excessive meetings, or rush hour traffic that has any positive impact on productivity. It’s all about power.

[@derrickdouglass]

I'm a design professional. Having worked remotely off and on for years as a full time employee and contractor, I found that the most interesting banter, convo's and connections were made at my local coffee house. :-)

[@adamrounisto1875]

I work in cafes to do my work too, but I think the biggest difference is that it isn't for a company. When you are working for yourself and running a successful business or as Malcolm is, an extremely successful author of very rememberable books, it's not an accurate parallel to a office worker working from home (person employed by a company.) I don't feel that is appropriate grounds to dismiss his expert opinion.

[@petrosnemardos]

Data protection and information security restricts most people from working in cafes etc. This means being at home streaming nonsense on tv while working. Being in the office is the best option we have at the moment if we value being social.

[@therealjordiano]

Well said, even things like meetings can still exist if you work from home though, I'd watch out as they might try to claim that this is a hole in your argument but I don't think it is a significant one at all

[@kevinolega1]

I live in the Philippines. Used to work as a customer service phone agent. Was earning $600 a month answering tech support calls from the United States. I started working from home in 2016 because I realized that I was losing $300 a month by sitting in traffic for five hours a day. I bought a computer and started Freelancing with odd jobs at first and eventually did meaningful work for employers who appreciate my service but I'm grateful that I'm working from home and never have to sit in traffic or get robbed while in transit just to earn my livelihood. Those CEOs are too up in their ass to understand what regular people are experiencing.

[@ttp436]

Just because you work from home does not mean that you still can’t still be social. Nearly every job in my life always had some Bully trying to undermine me and humiliate me. So if I ever get another job I hope it’s one working from home so I don’t have to deal with other peoples issues again!!

[@cheryldickenson305]

I completely agree! The workplace is mostly always toxic and some sort of bullying and intimidation

[@krystianfeigenbaum238]

Also - I'd rather choose with whom to be social than delusion myself with a poor substitute for social interaction like a work place.

[@cheryldickenson305]

@@krystianfeigenbaum238 💯

[@krystianfeigenbaum238]

@@BR-tq9wq But choose your wars wisely. You'll end up burned out from fighting unnecessarily all the time. There is no reason to confront every idiot coming your way.

[@krystianfeigenbaum238]

@@BR-tq9wq are you working on a construction site? how do you know they can't harm you? smart a**holes can do lot of things to harm you and they have a major andvantage over you. and that is opposed to you they don't consider the interaction a nuisance - they strive on it - they enjoy it - you laughing in their face is already a reaction they are looking for. in office setups they can make your life hell by triggering group dynamics.

[@rsstnnr76]

He's saying working from home is bad, while he's most likely working from home himself...and loving the work/life balance it offers.

[@sanfengmiao5367]

True…I wonder if he goes into the office 9-5 and sits in a cubicle every weekday

[@chris83us]

Hey Malcom - don't get frustrated, just mind your own business! Work from home discussion is nonsense!! I now have less stress during the work day, 2 extra hours without the commute, and none of the stress of sitting in traffic. Thanks for thinking about others!

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

No commute like that probably results in an environment benefit. Fewer cars on the road. Also those that are commuting get to their destination faster.

[@pauladavis8419]

He is speaking for himself. NOT Interested.

[@mzmegazone]

I've been a full time remote worker since 2010 with my current employer, and in many of my past roles I worked remotely at least some of the time. I will *never* take another job that requires me to go into an office. I am far, far more productive working at home than in an office. I control my environment - lighting, temperature, background noise, furniture, etc. I can optimize everything for my personal needs and wants. I don't have to deal with other people's conversations, overhearing phone calls, someone microwaving fish, etc. Working in a cube farm was maddening - working in an 'open office' was hell. I cannot focus in the cacophony of an open office, which so many tech companies foolishly embrace. As a bonus, I get to avoid the office plague when it makes the rounds. I'm part of a global team - Just in the US there is MA (myself), WA, TX, and AZ, then we have Singapore, Japan, Israel, and the UK. Even if I went into an office I wouldn't be physically proximate to the rest of my team. At best we have two people in the same office. And we work on global systems so odds are even if you are in an office you're working remotely. Plus all of the other teams scattered around other offices. I can sit at home in my personalized environment and work via Zoom, Teams, email, and phone - or I can sit in an office and work via Zoom, Teams, email, and phone. With the latter I get the added hassle of a commute and a sub-optimal work environment which makes me less productive. Oh, yeah, that's the better option for sure. And let's make everyone do it at the same time to maximize the time spent commuting and the resulting pollution. Also, since we have such a global team, sometimes meetings are very early in the morning and/or very late at night for different team members. We wouldn't be in the office anyway, hopefully. Some of my coworkers do go into offices - but do these meetings from home before/after being there. “It’s not in your best interest to work at home.” Oh, thank you so much for telling me what it best for me. How paternalistic of you. Maybe it isn't best for *you* - but, frankly, you can stick your view on what it best for *me* where the sun doesn't shine. Which is where you pulled it from in the first place. Some people like office environments, even thrive in them - good for them. My wife couldn't wait to get back into the office when it reopened, even if most of her coworkers still work from home. Admittedly we live like 12 minutes from her office, so the commute isn't killer. But she likes having that separation and that's fine. No one is saying you *can't* go work in an office if that's your thing, but telling everyone they must is just bullshit. “I know it’s a hassle to come into the office, but if you’re just sitting in your pajamas in your bedroom, is that the work life you want to live?” Fuck yes! I say this sitting at my desk in my home office in my 'pjs' (sweatpants and a T-shirt). I'll go shower and get dressed after my round of morning meetings is over. Sometimes I even do those from bed on my phone - which is a portable supercomputer like most phones these days. “Don’t you want to feel part of something?” I do. If you need to be in the office to feel like you're part of something - well, that sounds like a 'you' problem. Some of us are perfectly capable of feeling like part of a team, and the larger enterprise, without the psychological crutch of going to a specific physical location. It's an office, not a holy place of pilgrimage. “I’m really getting very frustrated with the inability of people in positions of leadership to explain this effectively to their employees.” Maybe the problem isn't that they can't explain it effectively, but that it is *complete bullshit* and the employees can see the emperor wears no clothes. You can 'explain' this as much as you want, but we're just telling you it is bullshit. If a job can be done effectively from home, then there is no reason to force someone to go through the hassle and expense of a commute. Quality of life matters, and the time I got back not commuting an hour-plus each way (compared to my previous position) is worth far, far more than any silly in-office perks like foosball tables, free snacks, etc. Frankly I'm also more likely to work a bit more and be more productive if I'm not constantly thinking "If I don't leave by X I'm going to get caught in rush hour." If I need to work a but longer to finish a task and my 'commute' is 20 feet down the hall to the kitchen to make dinner, that's not a problem. If it is a choice between getting the task done and spending an extra hour parked on the highway, or saying 'fuck it' and not completing the task - guess which one is more likely to happen. “If we don’t feel like we’re part of something important, what’s the point?” 1. See above, it is your problem if you don't feel like your work is important unless you're in an office. 2. Unless and until we have the Star Trek (or Orville) future and no one *needs* to work to survive, that's going to be a major factor. Feeling like I'm 'part of something important' is nice, but that's not why I *work*. If that's all I wanted, and I didn't have to pay for my home, food, etc., I'd find something else - restart my tech blog, volunteer time for charity, maybe work on some open source projects, etc. There are many things I'd rather do, that would be even more fulfilling, but as long as there are bills to pay I seek out the least-worst option to sell my time to. (And I do really like my current employer, but make no mistake they're my employer and I'm their employee. It isn't a 'family' or the like. I know they could fire me any time they want to.) “If it’s just a paycheck, then it’s like what have you reduced your life to?” Work to live, don't live to work. I work so I can survive first and foremost, and then to be able to enjoy the times I'm *not* working. Work supports my travel/vacations. It supports my hobbies and interests. And, hopefully if my planning is good, it supports my ability to retire and *stop working*, while continuing to enjoy those things - even more without work eating up my time. Maybe stop trying to explain to workers why working from home is bad for them, and start listening to the workers telling you why it not only isn't bad, but actually good. And, while you're at it, maybe realize that 'workers' aren't interchangeable cogs in the machine. And one solution does not work for everyone - nor is there any need for it in today's world. Some people thrive in an office, others at home - and some may prefer hybrid approaches. This is just a further evolution away from the fixed 'workday' of the past, the 9-5 clock punching. We had 'flextime' and 'slipped shifts' and other ways of offering flexibility in schedules, and now we have work from home in the mix. Reactionaries will fight the change, but the companies than embrace it will attract employees and keep them happier, and more productive. These discussions almost always bring up ancillary businesses, like lunch places that make their money off the office workers. Oh, the economy will collapse if we're not all back in the office! First, bullshit. People still need to eat - they're just spending the money elsewhere, be it the local lunch place, doordash, or just buying more groceries. Maybe we're buying and burning less gas, etc. - but is that really a bad thing? Yes, it may have a localized effect on businesses which relied on the office workers, and that's unfortunate, but that's also life. You don't force everyone back into offices to prop up other business models, including the value of commercial real estate. I think that's where a lot of this comes from - all of those expensive commercial properties. The investors and owners in those properties really do not like the idea of falling demand for office space driving down the values. Fewer employees in offices means fewer offices are needed. Corporations won't need to own/lease as much space. Fewer people in offices means less people buying lunch, etc. Which means less need for those places. Which means fewer of those places renting out space in the same buildings. Etc. This is not going to collapse the economy. It may cause a reset on values, and maybe shift us away from building ever more giant office buildings, but so be it. We didn't force people to keep using the horse and buggy to save the buggy whip industry, support farriers, and keep the value of stables high.

[@angelawilliamson6765]

Every point you made is so valid & on point!!!

[@finnsya8054]

You wrote a book! But you covered all the major points on this issue. I wholeheartedly agree!!! 💯

[@perismaina8930]

Don’t tell me to work from the office so I can have a “feeling of belonging” to only let me go with no notice. WFH is not for everyone and that’s okay, that’s why there’s in office and hybrid options as well. My productivity, mental health, physical health and social life have improved tremendously since I started working from home. I’m able to co-work with friends that I adore instead of random coworkers i’ll never talk to after I leave that job, hang out with my parents after work cause I don’t have to sit in traffic, go to the gym, swim, take random walks through the day - it works for me, but it’s okay if it’s not for you as well. i’m all for having options and each person picks the company that best aligns with their lifestyle. Options 👏🏾

[@crystalken]

This is just one person's opinion. The comments tell a different story, this is consistent when WFH is the topic. Just because some people struggle (and sit about in their pyjamas) doesn't mean that many haven't thrived,becoming much more productive and more importantly, happier.

[@nickblack3972]

Humans weren't made to be holed up in their home all day, nor were they designed to feel this comfortable. You may feel happy now but give it a few years and you'll want that boring office life back.

[@crystalken]

@@nickblack3972 In your opinion also. I don't believe that humans were made sit in offices all day either and listen to other people talk about their kids and what they had for tea the previous evening.

[@nickblack3972]

@@crystalken but it's still a lot closer to what we are naturally meant to do, than sitting in our pyjamas all day without actual interaction with the outside world. We want everything to be perfect and comfortable but that just isn't what a good life really is, and that's the point gladwell is making. Ever since I've transitioned back to working an office after two miserable years in a WFH environment, my career has made progress that wouldn't have been as possible while stuck at home. Too many people are stuck in this little covid induced comfort zone, and they get snarky when people challenge it. It's like when you tell people they're addicted to their phones or social media and they snap back at you. I don't mind the odd 1 or 2 days WFH to break things up, but spending your entire working week at home just isn't usually a good idea

[@crystalken]

@@nickblack3972 Again, in your opinion (can you see the pattern here?). I don't sit all day in my pyjamas, I still have social interaction, I still exercise, I've never spent more time in nature etc. Don't be so close-minded to judge everyones' experiences, habits, feelings on your own, we're all quite different and ultimately we should have the freedom to do what works for us. Some people hate the office, always have done and only interact with colleagues as they have to. I find my fulfilment and stimulation via other means. I do a great job but ultimately I only do it to fund other things. Some people their work defines them. Like I said we're all different and we're all having our own experiences, stop telling others what they need or what their wfh behaviours are just because that's YOUR experience. Some people don't want their career to progress, they want to do something they can bear, with as less stress and energy required as possible and get the hell out of there as soon as they can, infact I think a lot of people are in that position.

[@nickblack3972]

@@crystalken it's my opinion that your opinion is wrong. You're proving my point about how people stuck in their comfort zone get snappy when their lifestyle is constructively challenged. If you're gonna come on a video which advocates returning to the office, to disagree, then don't be so snappy when someone tells you that you're wrong (which based on a lot of evidence is likely true). We are all different, but we're also not as different as you think we are, and most people don't really know (or want to know) what's good for them. Of course it's my opinion, but you'd be wise to at least consider it 🙂

[@AttaKru]

I am developer, before pandemic everybody was in their cubicle, with little to no interaction because we respected each others flow (if you are a coder, you know what i am talking about) ... on the other hand, there were some managers inserted into our cubicles (blessed open office), who were on the phone non-stop, and discussed unrelated stuff to our work ... our performance skyrocketed when covid sent us home

[@iomis2001]

I love how this guy knows what's best for me. Thanks dad.

[@mjbogdanov]

Arrogant and out of touch. How about, "No, Thanks, and Mind Your Own Business, Not-My-Dad."

[@trbossdoggy]

It takes 45 minutes to commute to work. Around 45 minutes to get up, wash face, get dressed up, eat something or drink coffee at least, prepare your work gear, and leave. That’s 1,5 hours in the morning. I commute back from work 45 mins, and it takes at least another 45 min to “unpack” as I must get undressed, take a shower and sit down and rest a bit. Another 1,5 hour. That’s 15 hours a week and 60 hours a month. 720 hours a year spent just dressing undressing and being on road. To feel connected to your work and team you do not have to go to office every single day. If you go to work once in two weeks you will have plenty of bonding with your colleagues and workplace, since you are digitally day to day connected to them anyway! Not even mentioning the financial saving and environmental benefits of this.

[@ThierryBegin]

45min if you are lucky, here for a 30km ride, it's about 1:30-2h door to doors in traffic. And no, buses aren't faster. At least bike during summer save me up to 1h.. it's absurd how city got built and centralized for work and now are almost impossible to access...

[@jimbojimbo6873]

For me the big benefit is simple, I can have 2 hours additional sleep before work which has changed my life

[@GospelGal81]

Employers are not our family and families are being destroyed because we are away from each other and working most of the day. Connections with those around you who really matter and truly care about you is what is important. These companies will drop you like a bad habit, so the relationships are usually VERY conditional. I do like going into the office but flexibility is a must.

[@AW-it1gc]

As a single parent I would pick working from home any day. Saving all that commute time means more time with my young family.

[@TrishChanda]

It’s so sad to see people in the older generation & some millennials feeling lost when they don't go to the office, some of them don't have a life. I actually once heard a girl say she just missed office banter (In my head I was like not me) I’d rather have more time for myself, family and friends than a “chat” for the sake of chatting. I enjoy remote working and pursuing my own dreams! Just saying 😀

[@UKLeonie]

Let's not forget banter is usually all the 'isms' we have to dismiss, that we now no longer have to.

[@debbie8304]

I hear you. Plus, you can still have banter even though you may be working remotely.

[@TrishChanda]

@@debbie8304 exactly

[@michaelcorleone7598]

Well said!

[@chasencrooks7115]

Hated the office banter. Seeing a bunch of corny Yt people everyday was so annoying. Hated the smell of bologna everyday being around them. I LOVE working from home lol

[@gabilovessinging]

LOL there is a very clear boss / employee divide here. I’m on a graduate leadership fast track - I will DEFINITELY remember my appreciation for WFH when the tables turn. People can’t let go of the past 💀 why did we humans even choose this? What is work? What is slaving for crumbs of your CEO’s pie? The whole thing is sad to me - WFH appeals to those outside the corporate box.

[@mgsPWlover]

Couldn't agree more; it's only the CEOs and senior managers invited to write opinion pieces that I've seen talking badly about WFH.

[@motivationalmadness10]

@@mgsPWlover we need to eat them

[@troyharvey5516]

Can you step back and see why? The leadership of the companies are seeing ineffectiveness, people struggling, and the differential on in-person vs. at-home. What if everyone is the boss? In some companies everyone is an owner. Do you have equity? There comes a time in growing up you realize it is not you against the man... rather, we all are the man. What is good for the company is good for you. What is success? Can every role be as successful when performed remotely? No, of course not.

[@mgsPWlover]

@@troyharvey5516 I love how you never never actually explained why that makes WFH worse, and also just assumed the bosses are correct in their assessment without a shred of evidence.

[@YisraelPrince]

@@troyharvey5516 you sound like one of these losers. Simple. Another capitalist will take your talent if you don’t offer WFH, don’t like it? Move to China. Capitalists are always happy when theyre benefitting and try to shame us into giving up our happiness for THEM!

[@luvpiggery]

WFH has been great for many people, myself included. I have my office and workflows set up for maximum productivity and comfort. I work longer days and have great relationships with my teams. Glad we'll is simply projecting because HE wants people in the office and HE doesn't have a sense of belonging and HE thinks one size fits all. The man needs to get a grip. Office days are over, and thank God for that!

[@user-ii7zb3yg4e]

I work in Tokyo... Annual income when work in the office for a corporation: 7 mil Yen Annual income when work as hybrid workers (it's hybrid but in practice it's 95% remote) for several corporations: 13 mil Yen Not only life balance wise, career wise, WFH it's better!

[@CarmelloVision]

Living / working in Tokyo. This is nice to see!

[@garethwilliams3048]

I save 10 hours a week working from home! Work harder and have time to cook and go to the gym. Never felt healthier , plus with petrol prices in the UK who can afford to drive to work lol!

[@michelegoesglossy1879]

Love the interview! The only thing I would point it out is that I love working from home, because where I live is summer all year, so I just put my bikini and whenever I have a break, I'm at my terrace sunbathing and after living in London, this has been so rewarding, so my experience of working at home has been really positive.

[@Aeviae]

Where do you live now of you don't mind me asking? I have been working from home in London for 6 years. I'm thinking about trying something new career and location-wise.

[@michelegoesglossy1879]

@@Aeviae I'm in Tenerife, Canary Islands. It's amazing over here, if you manage to work from home. After work, you can go for a swim. At the weekends, you can visit the other Islands. There's always something to do or discover and the life here is cheaper, although the prices of renting or buying property have risen.

[@Aeviae]

@@michelegoesglossy1879 it sounds good. Thank you for the advice. Perhaps I will visit one day and see what it's like.

[@RHatcherMD]

I'm 40, and I have found there is ONE thing that is NEVER in my best interest: Listening to people why try to lecture me on what is in my best interest, using hollow arguments and vague platitudes to back up their case. Especially when all of this comes from a hypocrite, who does not practice what he preaches, nor does he even bother to TRY and explain why his case is an exception to the rule he thinks should apply to everyone else except him.

[@dorothygale1104]

1). Hypocrisy is not a synonym for correct nor incorrect or neither good nor bad. One can be a hyocrite, yet be completely correct about that which they espouse. A hypocrite simply does not practice that which they espouse. A murderer who proclaims that murder is wrong is both a hypocrite and correct in their proclamation. 2). If it has to be explained why the work of an author, for example, is not conducive to an office environment shared with others, then you are oblivious to the work of an author. 3). As someone who has worked both in an office environment and outside an office (primarily at home), my experience has not been one of gaining massive amounts of family or personal time from working at home. The time I gained by working at home is the tme that would be spent otherwise commuting to / from my employer’s office location (1.5 hrs each way; 3 hours a day). If I spent this “found” time on famiy matters or self-improvement endeavors, etc., 3 hours a day would be well worth not havig to commute. But rarely has that “found” time been spent so efficiently on personal or family benefits, and there are inefficiencies (at least in my work) to being in a separate location from those with whom I work on project-related work. Now., I am fortunate that I work for a division manager who has never had a problem with me taking whatever time I need to be present for a school meeting or function for my kids or working from home so I could assist in my Father’s hospice care while he was dying from pancreatic cancer. In turn, as a project leader of a small team, I do the same for anybody on the team who similarly needs to work outside the office. My experience may be unique in this regard and I understand there are employers who are less flexible, as I have worked for an employer who wasn’t flexible regarding work conditions and work hours (the result of a merger where the other company’s management prevailed). I solved this problem by changing employers. Taking the most cynical view of any employer’s motivations, given that making profit is the primary motivation for any company operating in a free- market system, it is not logical that an employer would mandate working at the employer’s place of business if doing so was not optimal for the employer’s income earning propects. Motivations centered upon exerting control over employees for the sake of exerting control are not logical if exerting control is counterproductive to earning income.

[@RHatcherMD]

@@dorothygale1104 That's a whole lot of words. Shame I'm not reading them. Sorry you feel that way, or that it happened to you, or good for you, or whatever.

[@dorothygale1104]

@@RHatcherMD I’m glad you didn’t read all the words I wrote, as the last thing I intended was to tax your capabilities and risk your head exploding. It is a big asset that you recognize an intellectual mountain that too high for you to climb. That’s All.

[@jeanettedorfman5872]

It sounded like he said he lives upstairs. Is that correct?

[@iamjofo]

I love how the host gets *right up to the line* of saying he was using "company culture" as a substitute for competitive pay, a manipulation tactic by management to retain labor for cheaper, and doesn't self-reflect or see any issue at all hahaha Guard labor gonna guard.

[@MsPriyaLal]

Companies will call you part of their community than fire you at a moments notice. Such a nice community!!

[@mjbogdanov]

The ones that still love going into the office have clearly not suffered this insult yet. They will eventually discover they are being manipulated by professional manipulators. Godspeed.

[@aishwaryasudan1290]

I would love to have a work from home option. You feel like you are part of something big even if you are staying at home and that big thing is your family and relationships. Your job need not be the big thing you do in life. I understand that for some it is, and for those people I feel like let office's function. I'm dying to work from home. I plan on having kids and it would really help while being a mom.

[@jamesgarner2103]

i cant wait for my access card at work to be activated. i'm tired of working extra hours for free at home. 9 to 5, and sayonara, the next work day starts manyana. 7 hour work days have turned into 10 to 14 hour work days working from home. i'm constantly working during my breakfast, lunch hour and dinner.

[@jenster29]

@@jamesgarner2103 that's on you. I work from home most days and the laptop is switched off at 5pm sharp. That's it... done. Work phone stays in the home office also. You have to have that discipline for yourself.

[@ImperialArmour]

Leaving 1 fact here: If I never needed any money, working would probably be one of the last things I'd do with my time.

[@1234CDAB]

I was a Malcolm Gladwell fan but this interview has made it clear that he has no clue about how trauma impacts people and how debilitating it can be for people their entire lives

[@gfunk63901]

I was never a fan. He spun some theories and wrote some books and made lots of money. He looks down on the majority of people and the only ones he respects are other wealthy people like him like Anthony Robbins who figured out how to sell ideas

[@Hermes_Agoraeus]

@@gfunk63901 Yes, his success makes me question our biases that have lifted him up in the first place.

[@Spreadsheets_and_pizza]

I think there are job roles where connection plays an important role, but for the majority who don’t have strong and meaningful connections with their work, free pizza just isn’t worth the time and money to commute. I do somewhat agree that many people may not be as aware of what is good for them as they think, and I am acutely aware of some of the impact to mental health of not having the separation between work and home life, but overall my work/life balance is greatly improved by remote working.

[@chrisblackett]

I’ve always enjoyed listening to or reading Malcolm Gladwell, but he is absolutely a reductionist. Working from home, I probably have stronger and better relationships with my coworkers. I have a better more present relationship with my partner. I’m healthier than ever since I have time for the gym, and I’m with my dogs all day. My life has expanded. Malcolm asks what life we want to reduce ourselves to, and it’s definitely not an hour commute and sitting at a cubicle filling time.

[@fionay2014]

Working from home is the best thing that happened especially as a parent. I socialise now on my own terms and get my work done without all the unnecessary distractions.

[@nikkis.9747]

This is true for people who don't have a life outside of work. I love working from home. I don't need the office for anything. Our team collaborates better and more efficiently on Teams. The office is so overrated and the pandemic revealed that.

[@davidmacdonald6611]

Working from home is amazing especially if your health isn't so good.

[@reprobaterenegade2594]

My work life balance has been changed for the better by working from home, I've been able to save money on commute, spend more time with my family instead of being the father who's always gone and I've been able to take care of things at home that I never would have got to at the office. If you seriously think that people's lives are better spent away from home locked up in an office, then that's on you, I have a bridge to sell you and I know you'll buy it.

[@keskorre]

I’m immunocompromised and just want to work, instead of risking death by going into an office of 5,000 people on the regular. Last time I had a cold, it lasted 4x as long as it did for family members and caused a hospital visit. This kind of messaging does not help those of us just trying to hang onto something close to a normal life. What has my life been reduced to? Survival, and finding meaning despite isolation. I know full well that this messaging wasn’t written for me, but making sure others like me get a voice.

[@SugarBearForce]

Nothing makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger than sitting in a cubicle farm.

[@mjbogdanov]

Now you understand the mentality of the guest. Sad and out of touch.

[@alisonkirby4398]

I've worked from home since I had my children, my son is 28 now.. I make bespoke curtains etc for my own clients and interior designers from London. I love my work, I was able to be there for my children. If you have bills to pay, you'll work and work hard. I'm 56 no mortgage and no debt. I have a brand-new studio my son built me. I do interact with other humans!

[@sugaray0212]

I was a full-time teacher when I was hit by post-partum depression after the birth of my 3rd. I was forced to quit. Took years to recover. My husband told me to never work again because he saw it that heightens my anxiety when I tried to juggle work and motherhood. I felt lost after losing my job. I was a teacher for years and somehow I felt like a failure. I felt like I wasted my degree. But then because of my free time I was able to pursue my true passion which is baking breads and cakes. I started posting on FB my creations and friends started asking to sample. That was 7 years ago now. My passion turned into a business. I’m happier that I’ve ever been spending time with my kids and I am earning more than what I used to make as a teacher. I no longer have crippling anxiety nor have guilt feeling whenever leave my kids at home to the baby sitter. I enjoy having the control over my time. Having optionality. Bake when I want to or rest when I want to. The depression turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I needed to lose the job in order to realize there’s another way to live and earn.

[@BradLongCo]

As a former remote "individual contributor" in corporate America and now 100% contented "remote" online business owner, remote work has been a staple in and of my life for almost a decade. I don't need your "sense of belonging", Malcom. I'll keep my freedom, independence how I do my work and get my sense of belonging from my God, my family and my community (and maybe a little bit from my colleagues and customers). :)

[@oasdfe1691]

Depends on the person. Some people have families so working from home is perfect for them. Others live alone, so working from home is horrible. We should give people the choice and let them decide

[@ntonioproductions1591]

I live alone and love working from home

[@gracethompson6926]

I have a family and wfh would be impossible for me

[@iflymilly]

The replies to this are so funny because you’re saying it depends on the person, but then put people in a box 😂 but I think they’ve just illustrated your point

[@jmhorange]

Well it's kind of one of those situations where everyone's choice affects everyone else. If most people decide to go back into the office, then those at home will be disadvantaged and not have the opportunities and build the relationships that the people that go into the office. If most people decide to work at home, it removes the reason why people that want to go into the office go. If you are gonna sit in an office alone or with few people, might as well work from home. Not to mention all the knock-on effects of who the wider economic society built around workers working in a business location and how cities will be built or kept the same if we choose to work primarily at home or the office. So we have to decide collectively what kind of society we want. It's not just everyone's decision only affects them and just let them decide. This change has been coming for a while, but was accelerated by the pandemic. I'm excited to see which direction we go, but whether it's WFH or the office, I really hope we make some changes that empower workers.

[@StorytellingHeadshots]

Excellent and well-reasoned comment. Should be upvoted! ⭐️

[@Takeyoualong]

I think we have found out - even if just from this podcast - that just because someone is ‘successful’, has built a large company and can support their family, that doesn’t automatically mean they are happy, as Malcolm suggested.

[@robothate]

Man who works from couch at home, reveals he's frustrated that others also work from couch at home...

[@JosifovGjorgi]

Malcolm Gladwell is an journalist, author, and public speaker. Is Malcolm Gladwell commuting to work with 2-hours in one direction ? Is Malcolm live paycheck to paycheck ? No. So how can he relate with people that are working in offices (pre 2020) ? Or he can make a example of himself and start working from offices in corporation with paycheck to paycheck + commuting 2-hours in one direction like for a year and then he can start preaching who good working for office is. I mean if he can survive

[@Starry_Night_Sky7455]

Good point. He like the ivory tower type. Immersed in his curious research. Lost about the real world. I like his books. He's a genuinely nice person. Still clueless. It's okay. Maybe he researched some of these comments to get the idea he is way off on this.

[@saragreig7029]

There's a difference between happiness and contentment. Happiness to me is the flip side of unhappiness, so you live a life on a wave, riding up and down, whereas contentment is a deeper, steadier, more meaningful measure of self actualisation.

[@growlocalmarketing]

I just heard him assume that everyone who works at home does so in their pyjamas so didn’t bother to listen. I love working at home.

[@debbie8304]

Yep. This assumption is frustrating and doesn't reflect reality. Not seen one person on video conf calls in their PJs in several years of working from home .

[@a.i.1823]

One of my favorite interviews so far. What a kind and brilliant human being...

[@john25992]

I am someone that doesn’t like working from home because I like to separate those parts of my life but I can appreciate those that do prefer it. Each to their own. Shame a lot of employment isn’t so flexible on the matter.

[@JuneStay]

I’m excited to listen to this during my morning walk! 🎧😍☀️I disagree with the opening statement about working from home though. 🙋🏽‍♀️😂 personally I love working from home, I’m much happier now setting my own schedule than when I worked a 9-5 in an office. I never had any time for myself and wasn’t as productive. Yes I do sometimes miss work colleagues and having another energy to bounce off but for me the benefits far outweigh the downsides. Everyone’s different though of course, some people hate working from home 🙋🏽‍♀️ xx

[@johnayala2540]

June Stay, I agree with you 100%. I'm so much happier working from home. I don't miss the long driving and traffic on a freeway, saves me ridiculous gas prices, saved me dry clean and laundry expenses. I never have to deal with narcissistic boss, unpleasant, gossiping & hateful coworkers on a daily basis. I have more time with family and other projects. I'm a lot more productive & can focus better when I don't have to deal with nasty, difficult & mean-spirited & back-stabbing coworker and boss. Of course, there are also kind, hard working & friendly coworkers and I miss them but the benefits outweighed it.

[@travelwell6049]

I worked as a Freelancer from home for many years and then took a job at a company with a team, colleagues who I could see every day. Since lockdowns have ceased we’ve all just continued working from home because we prefer it, but we all still stay in touch and speak online about work stuff or non-work stuff and one of my colleagues was really struggling with not seeing people so we’ve organised to meet up in person every 6 weeks or so. As for working from home, I love it. I have generalised anxiety disorder and all the constant daily triggers of the outside world being eliminated has been so amazing. Imagine being stretched like an elastic band and nearly everything stretches that elastic band tighter for a moment. Then lockdown came and all that tension I’d had for as long as I can remember just released. I do need to take your inspiration and take a walk every day though. 🚶‍♀️

[@svetlana13]

I agree with you 💯 We are all different and having a choice is very important.

[@rose_clips]

Agree. Generally, people who doesn’t like working from are those who really like working in an office or their income depends on people showing up at their place of work. Everyone is different, that is that.

[@augustmayfield5928]

I agree June Stay. I love working from home. It's great for my mental health. I would be depressed to go back in the office. It's different strokes for different folks.

[@missantrafalgar782]

I work from home and most people in my office do. We communicate, we have team meeting, the culture is chill, everyone is respectful, everyone is helpful. We do coffee chat when we want company while working ( just have the video call in the back ground). I have reached literally record breaking productivity and record breaking profits. Shut the hell up, working from home is fine.

[@mjbogdanov]

YES!!

[@urgentcaredr]

Most people in the medical field cannot work at home and I think it’s high status for us to work with our patients creating human connection. That’s priceless and most jobs cannot relate. Oxytocin is flowing in our blood ❤

[@gloriamitchell3518]

Working from home saved me from a biased and toxic workplace. I do realize others don’t thrive in a work from home situation.

[@KOMET2006]

Prior to the pandemic, though my job offered me the option of working from home, I NEVER would've done it, because I was perfectly content to go into the office M-F. But I must confess after having had to work from home to close to 2 years, I came to appreciate having that option. Indeed, now I am on a hybrid work schedule, working M-W and from home on Thursdays and Fridays. Approx. 95 percent of my colleagues are now working from home on a permanent basis (some having moved out of the area since March 2020 where our office is located).

[@rose_clips]

I am happier working from home. I think to diminish work from home is akin to discrimination. Some people are just not in need of “socialising” with people whilst working or their income doesn’t depend on people showing up at their place of work. Also, they can socialise after working hours and I don’t see anything wrong with that.

[@celinehowell7075]

Some people are introverts and it suits them better, I wish the corporate world would understand each person has different needs.

[@DelSunflower33]

Still working from home since 2020 and I’m happy. Saving on gas money with these ridiculous prices! I’m a single mama and make sure to connect to community outside and attend to my creativity. I’m good 😊

[@amessyclassroom]

Dude made me cry. My grandmother was a big part of my life but she died a few years before my daughter was born. I have often thought how much I would have loved for them to meet. Becoming a parent and your child fills your whole world, then it's bittersweet thinking of loved ones who never got to meet your child. 💕

[@celinehowell7075]

I think this shows exactly how disconnected the managerial people are from their employees. Most people's work is just work, as very few people turned a passion into work. We dont all need work to be the centre of our social life. Some of us would rather have more time for exercising, sleeping, family, hobbies that are meaningful. Some of us are introverts and get drained by being in thr office and having to navigate the toxic environment it is, having to be social with people we don't really like. Some of us are thriving because home working gives you complete control over your environment, is that what bothers managers so much? If you really cared about your employees you would let them make a decision best for their health, based on what their needs are, and only each person will know what that is for themselves.

[@thefinalwatcher]

These CEOs seal deals mostly in person. Also their work is their life so it's natural to assume that workers should embrace that lifestyle. It is 21st century madness.

[@KaaLee8]

Happiness is found within, no outer circumstances could ever fulfill you in a long term. Saying this from a viewpoint of a 12 years experience of meditation. That's also what the buddha and other spiritual masters say. The one who is able to be with himself will know. The pain which comes with being alone or feeling lonely is to be looked at and not be avoided. That's the key to happiness. Not avoiding suffering brings great joy in the long run 💜🙏 Workout from home brought me a huge possibility and development in personal and spiritual growth. 🧘‍♀️⚘

[@gigilafonte1621]

I worked from home yesterday and I was slacking off. I watered my plants, cooked lunch, had a 2 hour meeting on my sofa, folded laundry and took a cat nap after 4pm.

[@MaryMPringle]

For me, the pressure of being there at a specific time appropriately groomed and dressed took a lot of my energy and joy before I even started the workday. I love working from home. I love Zoom. I love getting out of bed and working in my pajamas when I have my best ideas and energy (usually around 4:30 am).

[@officialm6599]

Working from home is undefeated. My life is so much better for it

[@MukeshRane08]

Good every example of that not every author is really insightful.

[@adripdv]

I work fully remotely, and this has changed my life dramatically, what was my two hours commuting now become time to myself, time to get house stuff done, time to spend with my child and time to go out for a drink with friends now that is what I call socialising, getting along with work colleagues IS NOT socialising, at least not for me.

[@tamirch1]

MG has had immense contributions to making businesses work more effectively and making work more fulfilling to employees, but like most people do, he’s reached a point where he can no longer move with the times and understand the irreversible shifts that are happening around him.

[@katie8325]

These men just want their employees around them to feel like they have a purpose. I do not feel destroyed working from home, as I have a full life outside of the office.

[@joshuaspurrier734]

I love when people have a view and think that everyone should be subject to it, even when you see the evidence of a number of people not wanting it.

[@kareno3364]

I loved this episode, with the exception of your discussion regarding working from home. I think you guys are way off base there. That’s great that you guys like working in an office. On the other hand, I love my job and am loyal to my job and my teammates and boss BECAUSE I have the option to work from home. I also find it ironic that the guest starts off the podcast talking about his childhood and how he loved being alone and doing his own thing and asserts that society should be fine with those who want to be by themselves and be different (even somewhat isolated) from others. And then towards the end of the conversation he changes his tune and says that working from home is destroying us and that everyone should want to work in an office with other people and be social in that way. And just because beautiful office buildings exist doesn’t mean that everyone needs to go back to the office to work in them. I’ll keep working from home and doing my best work and living my best life, thank you very much.

[@ronx761]

This is my favorite guy. Someone gifted me his David and Goliath book when I was 18 and it changed my life forever.

[@mgsPWlover]

Belong to what? A corporation that STILL manages to undervalue my time and autonomy even when I am "sitting in my pajamas" at home? I'm sorry, but Malcolm is so comically off-base with this one in a way I've never ever seen from him before. Seriously disappointing. If anyone would see that the workplace paradigm is shifting and take a rational and researched position as to how, why, and if it's a good thing I would expect it to be Malcolm. You want me to feel like I belong? Maybe talk about the way the current organization of labor and the economy drive people apart even -- and sometimes especially -- within an office.

[@Chelsea-zt4rk]

I hated working from home/remote. It’s lonely and isolating and handling every interaction through a computer screen is exhausting. I much rather enjoy going to the office and interacting in person with my peers…we laugh and collaborate and things get done faster. I’m an introvert too so I’m not really a people person but I feel more productive and motivated when I’m surrounded by people who challenge me. That being said I also don’t have a manager who scrutinizes my hours so I feel empowered to leave work when I’m done not when I’ve done 8 hours and I take time off when I need it.

[@Chelsea-zt4rk]

Also, if I didn’t work in an office I would have never met my husband, or a lot of my close friends 😊

[@ikaw41]

We are in minority 😬

[@jackielynchstewart4745]

This is the first time I am making a comment on your podcast. I must say I enjoy them to the max. Your interviewing style is awesome and your guests so very interesting. However I have to say you had my favorite author on this one, Malcolm Gladwell. What a fabulous interview. I have to watch it again. I absolutely love Malcolm. What a brain with humility and his special brand of humor as well. Did I say he is my favorite author. Lol. Thank you for this.

[@neiljamessloan]

"Casting someone out is the great sin! It is not conflict that drives people away. It is neglect That's when you do harm." Thank you for reminding me of the pearl of wisdom I repeat here as it's a real pearler. Otherwise said it's "bad things happen when good people do nothing". Keep up your good work in platforming wisdoms, edu-matters and worthy informations.