Leah Watt: Working from home makes better workers

I can honestly say what many cannot — I love my job. As a software engineer, I love the challenges and rewards, the product, the company and the intelligent, passionate, infuriatingly arrogant but wildly talented colleagues I have come to call friends. Before coronavirus forced me to set up shop on my dining room table, there were few days where I didn’t look forward to going into the office.

Being launched into a fully remote state almost overnight was jarring to say the least. The first week dragged, reality set in and the novelty wore off.

Now, halfway through week 8 of fully remote, I am working better than ever. Here’s why.

First, I imposed workday discipline on the home office. I quickly adapted to a new normal by maintaining aspects of my routine that resembled the old normal, from showers before work to putting on work clothes. I broke for lunch the same way I stepped out when the chaos of the office demanded a brief respite. I logged off at 5 o’clock.

I tackled adaptation with mental aerobics, entering and exiting my dining room workspace as though it were the actual office. I turned on my camera during meetings to create a conference room illusion. I told myself that all of it was normal. As working from home started to feel less foreign, it became motivating.

Working from home also restored a work-life balance I haven’t known in years. The time saved not commuting to the office has enabled me to sleep without an alarm for the first time in years. Rested employees work smarter. I can take a quick workday walk, punch the bag in my basement and eat at home because I am home, and I’m healthier for it.

Healthy employees work better. I have a view of my garden, lunch with my husband and an occasional workday cuddle with my cats. Happiness increases productivity. And when I put in extra hours, I don’t feel drained. I’m already home. As a fully remote employee, I have finally achieved work-life balance.

What’s more, working from home has been edifying for our team. My colleagues and I were forced to make swift adjustments and develop our new “office” normal together. We figured out the frequency and medium of meetings, the necessity of emails versus Teams messages, a pattern of speaking, and the power of listening when no one is together in a room because everyone is remoting in. Together we had to fill in the gaps in body language and context.

Keeping the work moving despite the interruptions, limitations and anxieties that this seemingly apocalyptic world has produced demanded empathy, trust and patience. We soften our tones. We reflect more before we speak. We raise our virtual hands. We rotate leadership responsibilities. We check in on each other. Our team is stronger than ever.

I’m under no illusion that circumstances are ideal for everyone. Unemployment is at record high. Those sheltering and working alone might be feeling especially lonely. And I have gained more empathy for colleagues whose new normal involves maintaining their workload while educating and raising young children.

Not every day will be a good day. But expecting things to be different has enabled me to listen more actively, reach out more sincerely, work more independently and breathe more deeply.

Of course, I miss the office energy and inspiration. But working from home has made me a better person and employee. I suspect the same is true for many others.

Now that we’ve redefined normal, we shouldn’t be so quick to revert.

Leah Watt lives in Detroit.