[Nextgrid]

> The recent push for return to office seems to indicate that many places are not capable of managing what their workers actually produce.

It's not that they can't, it's that the people in power to make this change would themselves be obsoleted if they do so. Many higher-level positions derive their perceived usefulness and prestige by the number of reports under them and the amount of busywork produced even if said busywork is counter-productive to the bottom-line.

A laser focus on deliverables would signify the death of middle-management and various "facilitator" positions who currently enjoy cushy jobs without contributing anything essential.

[troupe]

> It's not that they can't

Maybe, but I'd wager you are over estimating the actual management capabilities of many of those people.