Subha and Hasita explore the nuances of the evolving workplace dynamics amidst the return-to-office mandates. They delve into the concept of coffee badging, where employees meet in the office for a cup of coffee to signal their presence. The conversation navigates through the challenges faced by employees and companies in adapting to new work models, questioning the need for rigid return-to-office policies. As they discuss the importance of intentional communication, flexibility, and individual responsibility, they aim to uncover a path toward a positive and inclusive shift in the modern workplace. IN THIS EPISODE (00:00) What is coffee badging? (02:38) If no one's happy, why are they doing this? (05:24) If we can work from home efficiently, why are we changing it? (07:55) What is the company's perspective on bringing back WFO? (10:45) Forcing employees to show up physically is counterproductive - how to solve it? (13:47) Diffuse the responsibility from the organisational level to the management level (15:16) Small startups can really benefit by asking what the team wants (17:39) Where does the individual responsibility come in? (18:58) Summing it up Your Host, Subha Chandrasekaran Subha started her career as a banking professional and was with Citibank NA for 15 years in Operations and Technology functions. She worked in critical people management roles across geographies that delivered operational excellence and client delight. The workplace was a delightful learning ground for leadership skills and to experience the joy of bringing your A-game to your work and building your team and their careers.  As a coach, Subha brings expertise and genuine care to every interaction. Her personalized approach ensures that your goals and aspirations are at the forefront of the coaching process. With her guidance, you'll gain clarity, develop strategies, and take confident steps towards your professional aspirations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/subhachandrasekaran/  Hasita Krishna: Strategic Marketer Hasita Krishna is a multifaceted professional who thrives on the principles of mindful marketing and strategic restraint. As the founder of Motley Crew, a prominent Indian marketing consulting entity, Hasita embodies her marketing philosophy. Additionally, Hasita shares her expertise through "The Damn Good Marketing Podcast," catering to small business owners navigating the intricacies of digital marketing. ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/hasita/⁠⁠ RainKraft At RainKraft, they are driven by a shared passion for personal and professional growth. They firmly believe that transformation begins when individuals embrace their potential and commit to realizing their aspirations. Led by Subha, an empathetic and experienced coach, they provide the guidance and support needed to navigate the ever-evolving career development landscape. https://www.rainkraft.in/about  —- ABOUT Small Talk with RainKraft Small Talk is for current and aspiring leaders who want to level up their career and their professional lives and want to do it mindfully. In a hyper-growth world, Coach Subha Chandrasekaran discusses personal leadership, professional growth, and thinking about your career as something to nurture and cultivate over time. Tune in for 20-minute episodes on conversational How-tos: how to navigate a layoff, how to handle feedback at work, how to ask for a raise, how to improve your delegating skills, and how to level up in a changing world. — This podcast is powered by CrazyTok: We help experts become influencers by helping launch, produce and grow your custom-branded audio and video podcast channels. Connect with us through the Crazytok website, LinkedIn, or Instagram. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/rainkraft/message