'Asses in (Car) Seats' vs. Management

Consultant Gleb Tsipursky recently examined the latest iteration of what I like to call the "Asses in Seats" method of management: Using the commutes of the people one should be managing as proof-of-work.Tipursky's analysis is quite thoughtful. For example, he considers gains in productivity seen with working from home during the pandemic and the more recent use of artificial intelligence, and offers, for example, that good use of AI requires focus -- which is often superior at home and away from the distractions of an office.At the same time, Tipursky recommends judicious use of in-office "anchor days" for those things, like mentoring or collaboration, that work better in person.Overall, he makes a good case for a more active evaluation of output and how different environments affect different kinds of work. As if the positive motivation of having a choice of work environments at one's disposal weren't enough, Tipursky cautions against the movement towards full-time office work…