Apparently, new research suggests that leaders who oppose remote work may have higher levels of narcissism.

The theory? They crave attention. Validation. The admiring gaze of employees nodding in conference rooms and laughing just a little too hard at their jokes.

And listen, I love a good psychological theory. We all do. It makes everything feel explainable. Tidy. Diagnosable over coffee.

But I’m not entirely sold.

Mostly because if craving attention is the standard, I am wildly underperforming. I literally wear a baseball cap to the office bathroom so I don’t have to make eye contact. If validation were currency, I’d be operating on a very strict budget.

And yet, I get the appeal of people being physically present.

Not for the applause. Not for the admiration. But for the random, unscripted, “wait, quick question” moments that somehow solve problems faster than 17 Slack messages and a calendar invite titled “Quick Sync (30 min).”

There is something about hallway chatter. The accidental conversation. The “while I have you” that turns into actual progress.

Also, and let’s just say it, people absolutely take naps at home.

They do. We all know it. Some of you are reading this horizontally.

And the dogs? The dogs are not neutral parties in this discussion. They are highly engaged stakeholders who demand attention, snacks, walks, emotional support, and occasionally a full interruption because a leaf moved outside.

So yes, maybe some high-profile leaders are demanding in-office work because they enjoy being the center of gravity. I’m looking at you, Elon Musk and Jamie Dimon. It’s possible. Psychology leaves room for that.

But it’s also possible that not everything is narcissism.

Sometimes it’s just preference.
Sometimes it’s about collaboration.
Sometimes it’s about culture.
Sometimes it’s about wanting people to put on real pants.

The truth, as always, is probably less dramatic and more inconveniently nuanced.

Which, unfortunately, does not make for a very satisfying headline. But it does make for better decisions. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go not seek validation in the hallway.

I’ll be the one in the baseball cap.