Remote: Office Not Required
by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson
August 30, 2020 — September 2, 2020
Los Angeles, CA
This book couldn’t be more relevant to the time we’re living in now, while I wish I had read this in March/April since I somewhat experienced some of the key points and tips the book provided already (I had to learn them the hard way in real-time). Yet, it provided further insight and ways to think about working remotely, especially managing an organization that’s remote (which my firm didn’t train me for, but it’s really important to me because of the organization I set up and manage remotely, the Oazis Fund).
The book was written at a time when working remotely was more of a movement or emerging concept, as opposed to the time we live in where it’s become mandatory and globally implemented. To be honest, even though I’ve experienced work remotely and read the points they made about remote work and it’s benefits; I still think it really depends on each individual. I actually like going to work and meeting different people, seeing the projects we work on in real life rather than blueprints or maps. The only reason I implement remote work for the Oazis Fund’s board, team, and associates is that it goes along with our organization’s vision of spending $0 to manage a global nonprofit where 100% of donations would go to the actual causes instead of any possible cost.
On the other hand, working from home has become a competitive advantage. I’m capable of working at my firm, managing our nonprofit, advising the startups, and serving the boards I’m part of, checking on the ones I’m invested in, meeting with different people in different locations; all in my sweatpants.
The main point to underline is that the main drain of working at an office is actually the commute. This is more of an urban planning problem as well, discussed in Happy City. I’m pretty sure if there was less commuting, then people wouldn’t be as obsessed or relaxed by working from home. Also, that an entity needs to have committed and passionate employees in general, but it’s crucial when allowing people to work remotely because now you depend on them managing themselves and not trying to finesse you.