Of course none of the data (as of yet) distinguishes between drops in innovation being the result of ...

- remote work,

- remote work being implemented badly, or

- remote work growing pains as people figure out how to have that identical "3 minute chat" over slack versus standing by the water cooler.

I've been a remote worker (off an on) for over 20 years now, and my current workplace has wholly embraced the remote worker.

As you may have guessed, I was particularly confused by the "3 minute chat" line because - for the life of me - I can't figure out what difference there is between stumbling to your co-workers desk and interrupting them for a chat - and clicking the call icon on MS Teams to have a three minute video chat.

Except that - of course - the latter allows the both workers to time the call so it causes the least amount of disruption.

I.e.

A coworker just showing up at my desk blasts my concentration out of the water. We have the chat because, "Why not" since my train has already been derailed.

Versus a ping on teams saying, "You got a minute?" and my reply of "Give me 5 . Then Ill call you."