Remote vs. The Office Isn’t the Real Debate, Connection Is!

After an inspiring (and a little exhausting) few days at M2020, one takeaway stood above the rest, and it wasn't about tokenized assets, dynamic interchange rates, or deposit flight, it was about one thing Connection.

In a world that’s increasingly remote, it’s easy to forget the significance of being human together, sharing space, energy, and emotion. One such connection is the reason I decided to write this post after a somewhat long hiatus from writing,

Rediscovering My Purpose

I was invited by a very good friend, Renata, to dinner and had the pleasure of sharing a table with her team and another close friend, Brian. Both have long been more than friends they’ve been mentors, guiding me through some of my greatest challenges and biggest opportunities throughout my career. During a heartwarming (and incredibly fun) evening, Brian asked me a simple question that struck a nerve:

“Why did you stop writing?”

At first, I didn’t have an answer. But as the night went on and we talked about life, growth, and our plans. I realized I had lost touch with why I began writing in the first place. Somewhere along the way, I decided to focus more on industry topics, chasing professional credibility rather than personal reflection. In that shift, I lost momentum, desire, and eventually, the words altogether.

That conversation brought me back. It reminded me that I write not to build a brand, but to connect with myself and with others who might see a piece of their own journey in mine. So here I am, writing again thanks to two friends who reminded me that connection matters more than content, and that my work in the industry speaks loudly enough on its own.

The Case for Connection

M2020 is, at its heart, about human connection. The kind that happens when people share ideas, form partnerships, solve challenges, and moments that typically can’t be captured in a Google Meet.

“You look so different in real life!”

I’m betting you’ve heard this remark once or twice over the past year. It’s strange, isn’t it, how easily a colleague can become just a voice and an image on a screen? Physical presence allows us to experience humanity through all of the senses. A handshake, an embrace, a shared laugh, even the quiet in-between moments or the difficult conversations, all remind us that, at the core, we are more than a just a digital image, we are human.

Yet, as the world leans further into remote work, we’ve created a growing divide. On one side, the advocates of freedom and flexibility. On the other, those who believe proximity fuels speed, innovation and execution.

I’m not here to argue either side, both have their pros and cons. We can't argue that Remote work has opened doors for many: parents balancing home life, people in rural communities, those managing health challenges, and countless others who now have access to opportunities once limited by geography and mobility.

“In a remote environment, mentorship must become a core company value.”

And here's where the ability to connect becomes absolutely critical. Connection whether digital or physical can't be assumed it has to be designed. A remote policy and culture can’t just be about handing out laptops and replicating an in-office structure. Nor should remote work be treated purely as a margin play, while reducing reliance on brick and mortar certainly impacts cost, it also demands intentional investment in strong mentorship frameworks, communication, and cultural alignment.

Too often, “mentorship” is seen as a HR initiative, a nice-to-have or a value-add program. In a remote environment, mentorship must become a core company value, deeply embedded into your culture. Without it, people drift, enthusiasm fades and engagement drops. Which leads to teams and employees feeling like names on a screen rather than parts of a broader mission.

Where Being Together Still Matters

Having navigated both remote and co-located environments across startup, growth, and corporate settings, here’s how I’ve seen connection play a unique role at each stage:

Seed / Early Series Stage

At this stage, co-location is typically a non-negotiable, founders, product, and engineering teams are experimenting, learning, and making decisions at lightning speed. The unplanned conversations, the hallway debates, whiteboard working sessions, early morning coffee runs, even a pint at the pub, those are where the magic happens. These in person environments build trust and instinct that no Slack thread can replicate.

Growth

As companies grow, intentional co-location matters more than ever. The best hybrid rhythms strike a balance of flexible work weeks paired with periodic offsites, product launches, and cross-functional sessions that help teams reset and realign. It’s these moments of connection that protect what scale can easily erode: trust, cohesion, and a shared sense of purpose.

Corporations

In large enterprises, true connection often starts with reconnection. Over time, structure and process can distance teams from creativity and empathy. Purposeful gatherings such as cross functional team building activities, leadership summits, and hackathons help bridge that gap. They remind us that presence isn’t about oversight; it’s about pride in building something meaningful together, a shared mission.

In Closing

Technology can bridge distance, but it can’t replicate the depth of human energy that comes from being together with intention. Whether it’s a dinner conversation that sparks reflection, a brainstorming session that unlocks a breakthrough, or a simple handshake that says, “I see you,” connection is what fuels progress. It’s what fuels us.

In fully remote environments, invest intentionally in frameworks that bridge digital and physical spaces. And always ring-fence budget for in-person gatherings they’re not an expense, they’re an investment in culture, creativity, and cohesion.

To Renata and Brian thank you for reminding me why I write. And to everyone who felt that spark at M2020, pause for a moment and think about the connections you made and the emotions and feelings you experienced.

Back to business!

Pic: Connecting with Dream