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| AT&T CEO John Stankey's memo about how the company's culture is changing may signal that some employees and job seekers will need to adjust their approach. John Lamparski/Getty Images |
A cultural shift is reshaping corporate America, and it’s anything but subtle.
CEOs from major companies like AT&T and Amazon are signaling a return to a more “hardcore” work culture one that’s laser-focused on in-office presence, performance metrics, and unwavering commitment. If you're looking to keep your job, grow your career, or land a new role in this environment, it may be time to rethink your playbook.
A New Corporate Playbook: Performance Over Perks
AT&T CEO John Stankey recently made headlines after a blunt memo to managers outlined a cultural reset at the telecom giant. The company is transitioning away from “familial cultural norms” and toward a model rooted in capability, contribution, and commitment. Translation: If you're not delivering and not physically showing up you might not belong.
"If the requirements dictated by this dynamic do not align to your personal desires, you have every right to find a career opportunity that is suitable to your aspirations and needs," Stankey wrote.
This isn't a one-off. Stankey joins a chorus of high-profile executives including Amazon’s Andy Jassy and Meta’s Mark Zuckerberg who are turning up the pressure on workers to meet rising performance standards and return to office campuses full-time.
In this new corporate landscape, remote work flexibility, midday dentist appointments, and casual hybrid arrangements are being traded for rigid schedules and higher expectations.
What the Hardcore Shift Means for Workers
According to workplace strategists and career experts, this return to "old-school" workplace norms requires a mindset adjustment for many employees especially those who entered the workforce during the pandemic or are used to hybrid work models.
“The spillover from home life to work life is not of concern to bosses these days,” said Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, a management professor at Yale. “Catering to convenience is not the driving force anymore.”
Even routine activities like scheduling personal appointments during business hours are being scrutinized in companies that now view maximum in-office time as a symbol of commitment.
What Job Seekers and Employees Can Do to Stay Competitive
If you want to survive and thrive in this evolving landscape, here’s how to adapt:
1. Shift the Narrative to Results
In interviews and performance reviews, focus on quantifiable outcomes. What value do you add? How have you exceeded expectations? Companies want performers and they want proof.
2. Mirror the Language of Employers
If a hiring manager emphasizes metrics and business results during the interview process, reflect that language back. Show you're aligned with their mission, while still gauging whether their values match your own.
“Focus on business metrics and performance measures,” said Jasmine Escalera, a career coach with MyPerfectResume. “Ask how the company balances high performance with employee development.”
3. Get Comfortable with In-Office Work
Remote roles still exist but they’re dwindling. If flexibility is your top priority, be ready to compromise elsewhere like accepting lower pay or fewer benefits.
4. Play the Long Game
Even if your current job feels restrictive, don’t quit impulsively especially in a cooling labor market. The U.S. added only 73,000 jobs in July, far below expectations.
“Don’t walk out right now. The job market is not nice,” said Amanda Goodall, a workforce advisor known as The Job Chick. “You’ve got to play the game, unfortunately.”
5. Plan Your Exit Strategically
If the culture doesn’t work for you, begin a quiet, intentional job search. Use the time to network, update your résumé, and consider what tradeoffs you're willing to make in exchange for autonomy or flexibility.
6. Create Balance Where You Can
For those who stay in more demanding jobs, workplace expert Jennifer Moss advises finding personal ways to preserve balance like a daily walk, socializing with colleagues, or scheduling self-care after hours.
“If you’re going to stay, make it as enjoyable as possible,” Moss said. “Work plays a big role in our health and well-being.”
What This Means for the Future of Work
The era of employee-first, remote-friendly work cultures may not be over but it's clearly being rebalanced by a growing wave of employer-driven expectations. Companies are realigning around performance, profit, and culture control.
For workers, this means one thing: adaptability is the new job security.
The best thing you can do is stay self-aware, flexible, and proactive about how you fit into your company’s evolving priorities. Whether that means leaning into the new structure or finding a role elsewhere, the key is to make deliberate career choices with your eyes wide open.
