Clark Ching has been talking about impending layoffs at his organization. They are now happening, and he reflects on what happens when they (or he or both) are gone. I think not, baby puppy: It's the people I'll miss
Whatever happens to me, these people are friends. But, since I don't know many outside of work, I can't help but wonder will I ever see them again?
You'll keep in touch with a few, and they will connect you to others via the social network. This has happened after leaving my last job, and it has happened every time I move to a new area. It's part of human nature, unfortunately, to lose touch with people you don't see on a regular basis.
Now that I am operating in a large company, I find myself reminded how wonderful it can be with other people on a regular basis. Starting my own business, operating out of home, requires that I seek out interaction with others. And while I love talking to people, that effort is sometimes more than I want to bother with. The beauty of having a regular gig, is that I don't have to decide if it's "worth it" to head over to the coffee shop. There are people all around with whom I need to interact to successfully complete this engagement.
As I come back to working from home, this just reminds me ever more that one of my personal requirements is human interaction. I don't want to be holed up in an office. I love bouncing and building ideas both friends and clients, and I will continue to do so as long as I have any control.
Update: Frank Patrick speaks about this in more detail.