WFH – Did your fears come true?

One of the common arguments against working from home (WFH) pre-COVID, was that it was hard to know if people were being productive when they weren’t in the office.  

Subtext in that argument was:

1. We don’t trust that you will actually be working if we can’t see you, and

2. When we can see you, we know you are working.   

The latter idea seems especially ludicrous.  I remember in one role hearing regularly how X was “such a hard worker” and how they “always go the extra mile”,  “always here till late. They’ll go far. “  Several months later when investigating a  significant 3 month surge in office communication costs I found out why X was there so late. “X  was waiting to be collected by their partner each evening. While the partner was driving the hour to collect  X, X was talking to them using their  company mobile!  So much for the idea  that presence means one is being productive!

And to the first point? Holding people accountable for doing the work they are employed to do doesn’t appear to be a problem, even if you can’t see them.  Anecdotal evidence seems to be that many people have been MORE productive when working from home since early this year.  

How has accountability shifted in your view during WFH? What has emerged that surprised you? What did you do differently as a leader to ensure people continued being productive? What new habits have you formed that would be worth keeping if and when you return to the office?

What’s your perspective?