Returning With Purpose Is What Matters in the New Work Era

The conversation around returning to the office has been filled with polarizing views. Some see it as a relic of the past, while others believe it’s the only way to recover productivity. But amid that debate, we’re losing sight of what’s most important: the opportunity to redesign work with purpose.

In recent years, many companies have adopted fully remote models. Flexibility became a trend, commutes were reduced, and costs went down. But soon, new tensions emerged: organizational culture began to fade, spontaneous innovation dropped, and collaboration lost some of its natural flow.

Today, much is said about returning to in-person work, as if it were a black-and-white issue. But the more important question is: why return? And even more relevant: what are we returning for?

At WeWork, together with PageGroup, we surveyed more than 5,000 people across five Latin American countries. In Mexico, 48% are currently working under fully in-person models. But when asked about their ideal setup, 55% said they would prefer to go to the office only one or two days a week.

This reflects a demand for value. People are willing to return but not to do the same things they can already do from home. They want to return to connect, to collaborate, to create, and to foster a sense of belonging.

That’s where the office regains its strategic value and becomes an enabler. This is what we’ve been perfecting at WeWork for years. Today, our buildings are far from traditional. They’re ecosystems designed for the new work era: open areas to brainstorm, private booths to focus, ergonomic meeting rooms, green spaces, and above all, a vibrant community.

Mexico has been and will continue to be the heart of our operations in the region. We currently operate 22 buildings across Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. In these spaces, more than 25,000 people from all industries and company sizes experience what flexible work truly means every day.

What’s happening in Mexico is no coincidence. It’s a response to increasingly crowded cities, long commutes, mobility issues worsened by torrential rains that impact quality of life, younger generations prioritizing well-being, and companies looking to attract talent without overstretching their budgets. All of this forces us to rethink the concept of work.

Mexico City’s office vacancy rate dropped from 30% to 20% in just one year from 2024 to 2025 because organizations are moving away from unproductive square footage and opting for spaces that truly work. In this redesign, coworking is no longer just an option for startups. Today, it’s a smart strategy for companies seeking agility, reduced risks, stronger team connections, and fast market responsiveness.

This year has been a special one for us. We want Latin America to be part of the global conversation and to lead the conversation about the future of work. To achieve that, we need fast decision-making, local knowledge, and a shared vision.

We’ve built a strong regional team, led by General Manager Diego Kexel and myself.. Our vision is regional, but our execution is local because while each country has its own rhythm, they all share a common need for workspaces that adapt to today and are ready for tomorrow.

And if there’s one factor accelerating this transformation, it’s artificial intelligence. According to our study with PageGroup, 61% of people in Mexico already use AI tools on their own initiative but only 6% do so within a corporate or institutional framework.

That tells us people want to move forward, but many companies don’t yet know how to support them. Ninety percent of respondents want training. They want to learn, grow, and use AI as an ally but to make that happen, we need clear strategies, investment in education, and, once again, spaces that promote collaborative learning.

Ultimately, companies that don’t invest in training and tech support risk falling behind and even losing talent. But none of these tech tools can reach their full potential unless they’re integrated into an environment where people feel part of a team, with clarity and vision.

A good hybrid model is not just about splitting days. It’s about giving each space a clear purpose. Going to the office should be an inspiring experience. Home should remain a productive place but it shouldn’t replace the energy of a face-to-face brainstorm, an impromptu mentorship moment, or a group meeting that turns into a breakthrough project.

In Latin America, the return to the office is underway but what defines whether it succeeds is the quality of what happens there. That quality depends on the design of the space, the technology we use, the culture we promote, and above all, the purpose we give to being together.

WeWork was founded on the belief that work could be different. Today, that belief is more relevant and urgent than ever. Work is an essential part of our lives, and if we want it to be meaningful, we need to build it together.

So yes, let’s go back to the office, but let’s go back with purpose. Because if we do it right, a better future awaits.