How can organizations and remote workers prepare for the future of work?

Actually I disagree with these questions. I believe them to be valuable, but neither hard or soft skills substitutes mutual trust.

I worked my way up to become an Executive Assistant learning all I could along the way. From receptionist at a Doctor's office, to receptionist at a personnel firm, to executive assistant at the personnel firm, to owning my own business for 18 years, to insurance agent for 13 years, and then back to where I wanted to be in the first place! I have been a very successful remote Executive Assistant for 10 1/2 years now using all I learned in life and through different career changes to mold me into the person I am now. I have many mentors, teachers, and bosses to thank for believing in me and advancing me. Networking, learning new skills, being assertive, being flexible, and caring for others have all been contributing factors to my career.

Change is inevitable in all work environments and in life in general. Being able to expect, adapt, and accept change is crucial to being successful in your career no matter what you choose as a profession. I am a remote employee, but I often need to travel to one of our offices to help out with projects, meetings, or events. It is very disruptive to my normal job duties and I have to play catch-up when I get back to my office. Challenge accepted. Being appreciated by my co-workers for doing this is a bonus. I don't like change, and struggle a little when my company changes policies, vendors, or platforms. You have to be willing to learn, get to the other side, appreciate the positives and overlook the negatives. Better than unemployment!

Reduce office space & go remote-first. Office vacancy is at an all-time high in most American cities. Office occupancy is less than 50% of what it was before 2020. The shift to remote work is already baked in, so no matter how hard companies try to return to the office, the numbers have hit a permanent ceiling. To prepare for the future of work, you should reduce office space and switch to a remote-first model. With a remote-first model, you can still have offices and in-person interactions. But you will 1) save on office space cost and 2) expand your talent pool by becoming remote-first.

Most, but not all, industries can convert to remote workplaces. You must look into your industry and needs to determine what's right for you and your business. Just because Joe Schmoe is or isn't doing something doesn't mean you should automatically follow suit. I am grateful that I work remotely. Today, I have a cold. Runny nose, sore throat, coughing frequently. I am glad I don't need to go into the office and risk getting others sick. That brings up another point. Look at ALL aspects, not just those you think are related. Things like sick time and the productivity lost due to it must be considered. Once you weigh all the factors, you can make an informed decision - not one based on personal beliefs about what you should or shouldn't do.