CEOs are speaking up clearly these days. AT&T’s CEO, John Stankey, sent a bold message to his managers. He urged them to change their behaviors, reflecting a significant shift in corporate culture. This comes after AT&T mandated a return-to-office policy about seven months ago. Stankey’s memo, a detailed 2,500 words, reveals how a long-standing company is adapting to modern challenges. It isn’t just AT&T facing this change—many large companies are reevaluating their work cultures.
CEOs Embrace Honesty
Stankey’s tone was straightforward. He stressed that employees seeking remote work might find it hard to mesh with the company’s evolving culture. This kind of honesty is becoming more common among top executives. For example, Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, told his employees earlier this year that those unwilling to return to the office may need to rethink their future at the company: “It’s time to agree and commit.”
A New Focus on Performance
AT&T’s culture, which once valued loyalty and longevity, is shifting towards a performance-based environment. Stankey explained that this change is crucial. “We’re moving away from a hierarchy and towards a competitive, market-focused culture,” he said. It mirrors a trend seen in Silicon Valley, where performance metrics reign supreme. Even Microsoft is on board, with its leaders introducing tools to boost performance management.
Data Drives Decisions
In this new landscape, data plays a vital role. AT&T will evaluate employee performance with various metrics, from peer feedback to work history. This allows leaders to spot outliers quickly. Stankey emphasized the importance of addressing these exceptions to remain fair to the majority who are committed and productive.
The Case for In-Person Work
Stankey argues that in-person collaboration is necessary for success. He believes that being together during common hours improves teams’ effectiveness. This sentiment is echoed by Starbucks’ CEO, who stated that working together fosters creativity and speeds up problem-solving.
Challenges with Office Returns
However, returning to the office comes with its own set of challenges. For instance, some AT&T employees reported problems with limited desk space and parking. Stankey acknowledged these issues, assuring that the company would provide the necessary resources for efficient work. Such concerns are not unique; Dell also faced hurdles when it reinstated its return-to-office mandate, leading to workplace politics and discomfort.
The Bottom Line
As companies like AT&T and Amazon push for change, employees are navigating a transformed work environment. The emphasis is now on performance, collaboration, and honest communication. For employees, adapting to this new culture may require effort but aligns with the broader trends reshaping workplaces today.
For more insights into changing corporate landscapes, you can refer to the Business Insider report.
