Emma Grede, the co-founder of Good American and Skims, has sparked debate with her blunt criticism of working from home. In a recent interview, she labeled remote work as 'career suicide' and connected it to broader social issues. Below, we unpack her views, her entrepreneurial journey, and the lessons she shares for leaders and employees navigating the modern workplace.
What exactly did Emma Grede say about working from home?
On a Bloomberg podcast, Grede stated, 'Working from home is career suicide.' She argued that discussions about remote work only highlight its benefits while ignoring significant drawbacks. For Grede, the isolation of Zoom calls from a living room is linked to larger societal problems, including declining birth and marriage rates and a loneliness epidemic. She emphasized that 'the key to a long and happy life is your close relationships'—relationships that remote work may weaken by reducing daily in-person interactions.
How does Grede connect remote work to social issues?
Grede sees a direct correlation between remote work and negative social trends. She pointed to declining birth rates, falling marriage rates, and the loneliness epidemic as consequences of people not seeing each other regularly. While many celebrate the flexibility of working from home, Grede believes the trade-off—less spontaneous human contact—has far-reaching effects on personal connections and societal cohesion. Her stance is that the workplace has historically been a primary source of social bonding, and losing that can erode the fabric of communities and families.
What do experts say about return-to-office mandates?
Grede's strong opinion comes amid ongoing tension between employees and employers over return-to-office (RTO) policies. Companies often argue that office presence boosts collaboration and productivity. However, experts caution that RTO mandates must be implemented with purpose and empathy to avoid damaging employee trust and engagement. Forced returns without clear benefits can lead to disengagement and even resignations. Grede’s perspective aligns with the belief that in-person work fosters intangible benefits, but experts warn that blanket mandates may backfire if not carefully managed.
What is Grede's background and how did she achieve success?
Grede is a British-born entrepreneur who co-founded Good American (with Khloé Kardashian) in 2016. The size-inclusive fashion brand did $1 million in sales on its first day. In 2019, she became a founding partner of Skims, Kim Kardashian’s shapewear line, which reached a $5 billion valuation in 2022. Her 'secret weapon' was never doubting her abilities and surrounding herself with a team 'who knew better and could help me open doors.' She credits relentless determination and learning from failures as key drivers of her success.
Has Grede experienced failures in her career?
Yes, Grede openly admits to 'a ton of failures.' Early ventures included offices that didn't work out, growing companies only to downsize them—painful experiences she says entrepreneurs rarely discuss. She noted, 'We only show the glossy side, the amazing things… the stuff we want to put on our Instagram.' For Grede, failure is an essential part of entrepreneurship. She advises that 'if you have the answers, you're probably not moving fast enough.' This honesty about setbacks is part of what makes her leadership approach relatable and grounded.
What principles does Grede use when leading a team?
Grede's first principle is to be 'radically transparent' with her team. She believes in fostering an environment where people feel safe to share ideas and admit mistakes. She also stresses the importance of building a team with diverse expertise—people who can open doors she cannot. For Grede, leadership is not about having all the answers but about moving quickly, learning from failures, and maintaining close relationships both personally and professionally. This philosophy ties back to her belief that strong connections are the foundation of a fulfilling life and career.