Recent Internal Leaks & the 4 things they Reveal About RTO and Office Space in 2025:
- Gregg Metcalf
- Aug 22
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 28
Recently, 2 internal messages from renowned CEOs (and global figures) to their employees were leaked to the public. They were an internal audio from Jamie Dimon, CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase, and an internal memo from AT&T CEO John Stankey. Their messages are a clear indicator; CEOs are no longer acquiescing. .
Though Stankey and Dimon lead very different companies, with very different styles, their messages converge on the same four realities shaping return-to-office (RTO) and corporate strategy in 2025.
1. CEOs are taking back control and setting firm standards
The tone has shifted: leaders aren’t waiting for consensus—they’re setting the rules and doing it their way.
Stankey: “As General Eric Shinseki so eloquently stated, ‘If you dislike change, you're going to dislike irrelevance even more.’”
Dimon: “…this company’s going to set our own standards and do it our own way. "
2. In-person work directly impacts performance—and CEOs are done doubting it
Companies have been wavering and hesitant, even advised not to push back on remote work. Now the message from these CEO's is blunt: in-person work isn’t optional, it’s a proven driver of results.
Stankey: “In-person collaboration and predictable presence improves each team's ability to execute effectively on large, complex projects.”
Dimon: “The young generation is being damaged by this… They’re being left behind socially, ideas, meeting people. ––– We didn’t build this great company by doing the same semi-diseased shit that everybody else does.”
3. It's too costly to keep employees unwilling to re-adapt.
The choice is shifting back to employers: align with company culture—or move on.
Stankey: “If a self-directed, virtual, or hybrid work schedule is essential for you to manage your career aspirations and life challenges, you will have a difficult time aligning your priorities with those of the company and the culture we aim to establish.”
Dimon: “…you have a choice. You don’t have to work at J.P. Morgan.”
4. Office space matters more than ever:
It’s not about reducing costs, it's about increasing productivity and innovation. CEOs are recalibrating where and how office space is used—doubling down on prime locations that reinforce culture, performance, and long-term growth.
Stankey: “We need to continue exiting under-utilized real estate… to free up resources to invest in our core locations. The fact is real estate transitions require sustained efforts over several years to arrive at the place we desire and you deserve.”
Dimon: “...In fact, my guess is most of you live in communities a hell of a lot less diverse than this room.”
THE TAKEAWAY
The signals are clear:
2025 is the year CEOs stop hedging. Remote flexibility isn’t disappearing, but the pendulum has swung—toward leaders unapologetically resetting standards, toward workplaces that drive business, and toward office portfolios with strategies aligned for outcomes, not just savings.
How to Stay Ahead
Conduct a Needs Analysis to align your real estate strategy with your business objectives.
Secure and Optimize Office Location(s), Space(s), and Lease(s).
Maximize Profitability, Recruitment, and Retention
Many companies lose millions of dollars due to lack of employee engagement, loss of top talent, and inefficient or unneeded office space.
Working with Gregg Metcalf, clients gain the insights, the analysis, and the plan to obtain the lease and office space that retains the best employees, attracts top talent, and maximizes productivity as well as profitability.
To Contact Gregg Metcalf:
email: gregg.metcalf@jll.com
mobile: 404.661.9284
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