Thread by @nedsegal

Today @twitter is opening our offices in SF and NYC. Our hearts go out to any tweeps around the world still unable to come back to an office, but this is a long awaited day for many.

It’s going to be different, both near term with COVID-protocols, and long term. We aren’t asking everyone to return. Ever. We will attract and retain the best people, enabling the most creative and productive work of their careers, whether on their sofa or in an office.

We will create new norms. Some of us are nervous extroverts or live in tight quarters without good focus space. Others will feel unshackled from meetings, urban areas, face time, or a century’s office norms, free to avoid a commute, small talk, or even traditional hours.

We intend to avoid tribal knowledge, the loudest voice or the last word, side convos, or proximity to certain people driving decisions or careers. We will be async a lot. And we’ll make time for face to face kickoffs, alignment, celebration and other in person interactions.

This will be an adjustment. Yet we can’t just solve for us extroverts who live close to an office. A video meeting can suck energy from my soul, and today I have a pep in my shoe-covered step, giddy to interact with maskless, vaccinated colleagues.

But I was attracted to @twitter because we empower all types of people to do their best work. And I have seen the benefits of remote. Amidst the hardship of COVID, I loved 15 months with my family, without shoes (even on TV or earnings calls!), planes, or unpredictable commutes.

I’m excited for flexibility and guiltless opportunities to WFH when I have a personal conflict or need quiet, thinking time. I’m thrilled we will hire people that work differently or don’t live near or want to come to an office every day... CFO staff has 3 people remote!

#Pride: We asked people to work at home globally 3/2/20, among the first. We declared people could permanently work from anywhere 5/12/20, also a pioneer. I’m proud to work for @jack, who made these calls, inspiring others to join us.

#Gratitude: REW, led by @_hawko and Corp Sec, led by @pgeonetta have been preparing to ensure our safety, productivity, and to honor belonging, whether in an office always or just sometimes, unable to yet receive a vaccine and working at home, or never returning. 🙏🏻

San Francisco is hurting more than I’ve ever seen. I’m excited to bring people back to Mid-Market. We were the first to commit to this neighborhood in 2011, and as our team gets off BART or MUNI, stops at a shop, or walks by our City Hall, they will pass evidence of the work…

… we must do to address substance abuse, mental health, and affordability that have worsened since we were last in our office. I’m hopeful our mere presence increases awareness of our challenges and inspires solutions.

All this work starts right now! I’ve never been more excited to come to work and to address these opportunities. Who’s with me!?!?! #LoveWhereYouWork #OneTeam… and careers.twitter.com!