Returning to the office after a long hiatus can be a daunting prospect. It's not just about adjusting to the physical environment, but also preparing your brain for the shift. Let's delve into the psychological aspects of this transition.

In-person gatherings are blooming again

Constrained to a computer screen and the functionality of videoconferencing, we’ve adopted unnatural ways of working with each other

  • We forced our brains to do extra cognitive work and make a million subconscious adjustments over hours of conference calls
  • For better or for worse, remote connecting and collaborating has become a default state for many
  • There is much to look forward to as offices reopen, and it’s also important to remember that this is all new terrain
  • This is what will help make this upcoming chapter of increased in-person collaboration and communication most effective

Make time for just being

After two years of video calls, we’ve all been deprived of the normal releases of dopamine and oxytocin-the feel-good hormones that we seek and need as social beings

  • Do your team a favor and let it be okay to have agenda-free social interactions

Manage your inner space

Don’t overschedule yourself

  • Allow yourself some open, non-task time and space to readjust and casually reconnect with colleagues
  • Set an intention for connection
  • Get more sleep
  • A good night’s sleep is key to improving your interactions and reducing your risk of burnout

Create spaces that nurture connection and collaboration

Talk about the return-to-office plan and keep talking about it

  • Don’t organize schedules by days of the week
  • Organize by key moments
  • Design spaces for connection
  • Cisco is recognizing that environment matters and is structuring their office settings for different ways of interacting

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