Spotify Called Us "Children"
Spotify put their flag in the sand.
“Our employees aren’t children. Spotify will continue working remotely.”
Spotify’s recent campaign is undeniably clever from a marketing standpoint—bold, relevant, and culturally on point. It makes a strong statement that many modern professionals can relate to, pushing back against outdated corporate control narratives. But while the campaign is smart, I believe it misses the bigger picture.
The truth is, we need more human connection—not less. Our shift to remote work has solved many short-term challenges, like cost reduction and personal flexibility, but it has also come at a deeper cost to society. We’re lonelier, more disconnected, and operating in ways that often feel transactional rather than collaborative.
Remote tools, no matter how advanced, can’t fully replicate the energy of in-person collaboration. You can’t replace the creative spark that comes from sharing physical space—being able to read someone’s expressions, feel the energy of the room, and build ideas in real-time. Video calls don’t quite cut it.
The Hidden Cost of Remote Work
Sure, remote setups can be cost-efficient. But what often gets overlooked is how much disconnection also costs businesses. When people feel isolated, productivity, creativity, and loyalty decline. The more companies rely on administrative systems to monitor output instead of fostering genuine team connection, the more they lose the magic of what makes teams thrive.
Beyond the workplace, we’ve seen rising levels of loneliness, anxiety, and depression since the remote work shift post-COVID. People are more glued to screens than ever, but less connected to real relationships. Humans are wired for community, and while remote work offers convenience, it often sacrifices the emotional bonds that help us feel seen, valued, and inspired.
Like Tyler, the Creator said:
Why In-Person Work Still Matters
Think about live events versus streaming them from home. Even in e-sports—an industry built around virtual gaming—the biggest championships happen in person because the energy of a shared space elevates the experience for everyone involved.
The same holds true for traditional sports. Teams practice together, build chemistry together, and perform better because they experience the full human connection that comes from being physically present.
Companies can learn from this. The organizations with the strongest cultures, happiest employees, and most collaborative teams will be those that invest in human energy—whether through physical office spaces or frequent, meaningful off-site experiences.
My Vision for 2025: A Return to Real Connection
In 2025, I’m preparing to create one or two office environments where people actually want to come in—not because they’re forced to, but because the space fosters creativity, connection, and personal growth.
What we lose in the so-called “flexibility” of remote work, we can gain back—and more—through stronger culture, clearer communication, and genuine relationships. This isn’t about control; it’s about giving people spaces where they can thrive together.
Whether through thoughtfully designed office spaces or impactful off-sites, the companies that prioritize in-person culture will have the strongest teams, the happiest employees, and the best results.
Spotify’s campaign nailed the cultural conversation—but there’s a deeper truth we can’t ignore. To break out of the societal “funk” we’re in, we need more connection. Real, human connection.
It’s time to rethink remote culture.
Let’s bring people back together.
But yes–I am still a child. 🤫 don't tell my kids.
