LinkedIn post by Zani Sharifi
to the post
When people are under pressure, they tend to fall back on familiar patterns of behavior. In psychology, this process is referred to as “regression.”
In essence, it’s a defense mechanism. Instead of developing further (progression), we seek safety in the past (regression).
This is exactly the kind of regression we are currently witnessing in the workplace. More and more companies are bringing their employees back into the office.
This is not about a scientific debate on the topic. No matter what your opinion is, you’ll likely find studies that support it (confirmation bias and all). That’s not the point here.
What I’m really interested in is the WHY.
Why do leaders and executives suddenly decide that being physically present in the office is necessary again? You often hear arguments like “our culture is suffering” or “informal exchange is missing.” But when I dig a little deeper, I notice that something else is often behind it.
Numbers are stagnating, markets are uncertain, costs are rising—and suddenly many leaders feel as if they’re losing control. The pressure increases. And so they reflexively fall back on what’s familiar: bringing everyone back to the office, where they believe they can maintain better control.
Almost all the leaders I speak to show exactly these signs. They justify mandatory office presence with supposedly missing creativity or the lack of informal conversations at the coffee machine. But often, it’s simply fear of uncertainty behind it. Regression kicks in.
But that cannot be the answer. Going backwards does not solve future problems.
The real answer lies in progression—in continuous development. In the willingness to explore new paths.
Remote leadership is not rocket science—it can be learned. There are plenty of resources and knowledge available; what’s missing is simply the willingness to truly let go and embrace something new.
Please, dear leaders: let’s not fall back into old patterns just because we’re under pressure. Let’s take a step forward—not backward.
What do you think? Are you observing similar regressions in your environment?