A six-year Wharton study suggests leaders who crave status and attention are driving the push back to the office—despite mixed evidence on productivity.
“In leadership roles, narcissists have a clear preference for face-to-face interaction, where richer channels allow them to not only gain attention but also wield power and status,” the authors write. Remote settings curtail leaders’ usual means of “directing and inspiring employees” like using hand gestures, fluctuating the volume of their voice, making eye contact, and adjusting their posture. “When communicating by video, phone, email, or text, it is more difficult for leaders to command the attention—and gauge and bask in the admiration—of their employees,” the authors write.