The return-to-office debate is far from settled. Many organisations assume that simply bringing employees back to the office will automatically strengthen collaboration, spark innovation, and rebuild trust. But as recent research from INSEAD shows, physical presence alone does not create these benefits.

What this study highlights — and what we also observe in practice — is that true value emerges only when leaders intentionally design for connection. Without structures, rituals, and norms that encourage interaction, the everyday reality often falls short of expectations.

One of the most striking insights is the role of weak ties: those casual acquaintances and informal encounters that provide fresh perspectives and opportunities. Yet these connections are much rarer than people tend to believe. This means leaders face a critical challenge: moving beyond the assumption that collaboration “just happens” and actively shaping the conditions under which it can flourish.

In our view, this is one of the defining tasks of leadership in the hybrid era: to create the circumstances where meaningful human interaction becomes the norm, not the exception.

👉 Read the full INSEAD article here: How to Realise the Value of Being in the Office