Let's start with CEOs and VPs work elbow by elbow in an open layout and have to buy headphones.
This isn't asking antagonistically, it's a legitimate ask, so I hope you'll understand my tone isn't one of aggression:
How am I over thinking it? The proposed idea is to require leaders sit with their constituents. Leaders are the ones choosing these horrible open office layouts. How do you make them do something that in many cases, as many folks are replying in this thread to the effect of-they do not want to do?
Do you appeal to the board of directors? What does that look like? When one says "this should be required", my immediate thought is, okay how do you implement it, and how do you actually enforce it?
And that's what I'm asking here. I don't think I'm overthinking it, but thinking exactly the question that will need to be answered if that suggestion is to take root anywhere. How do you require the leaders of your company to do something they might not want to do?