In Prasie Of The Office With Peter Cappelli – This Week’s Thinking With Mitch Joel Conversation

Episode #1007 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast) is now live and ready for you to listen to:

The debate over hybrid work has become one of the most emotionally charged topics in business… but few people have studied it as deeply as Peter Cappelli, the George W. Taylor Professor of Management at the Wharton School and Director of its Center for Human Resources. In his latest book, In Praise Of The Office – The Limits To Hybrid And Remote Work, co-authored with Ranya Nehmeh, Peter challenges the idea that remote work is the inevitable future of knowledge work. Drawing from decades of research and real-world case studies, he argues that while technology has allowed us to untether from our desks, it has also quietly eroded the social fabric, mentorship and serendipity that make work meaningful, and organizations effective. In this conversation, Peter dives into the paradox of productivity versus connection, exploring why human resources has become more transactional, how AI is reshaping education and engagement, and why hybrid work often brings out the worst of both worlds when poorly managed. He also unpack how the office – once dismissed as a relic of corporate control – remains a critical engine for creativity, trust and long-term career growth. From the psychology of “coffee badging” to the economics of empty buildings, this discussion examines not just where we work, but what we risk losing when we stop showing up. Enjoy the conversation…

You can grab the latest episode of Thinking With Mitch Joel here (or feel free to subscribe via Apple Podcast or whatever platform you may choose): #1007 of Thinking With Mitch Joel (formerly Six Pixels of Separation – The ThinkersOne Podcast).

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