Workplace Culture

Hello and welcome back to the latest edition of Workplace!

It’s been a busy and exciting time for us here at Workplace Creations, with plenty of firsts to celebrate. Back at the beginning of February we had the pleasure of co-sponsoring our very first event, Culture First, in collaboration with Brave Corporation Ltd. and MillerKnoll .

And what a morning it was! Hosted at the stunning, newly redeveloped Space House in Holborn, the event put the spotlight on building workplace cultures that not only allow but actively encourage employees to speak up. At the heart of the discussion was keynote speaker and author of Speak Up Culture, Stephen Shedletzky (aka Shed).

Stephen’s work is all about helping leaders create environments where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute. He led an all-star panel discussion, expertly MC’d by Tim Burke of Estates Gazette , featuring the ever-knowledgeable Mark Catchlove of MillerKnoll and our own brilliant Senior Interior Designer, Marissa Wallder . Together, they explored the crucial role Real Estate leaders play in shaping a culture of open communication across the industry.

Why Does This Matter?

The Gallup State of the Global Workplace Report 2022 reveals a troubling reality:

🔹 59% of the global workforce is “quiet quitting” – doing only the bare minimum at work.

🔹 Europe has the lowest employee engagement levels worldwide, with just 72% of employees feeling connected to their work.

🔹 The impact? A staggering $7.8 trillion in lost productivity globally – equivalent to 11% of the world’s GDP.

These numbers highlight why fostering an open, engaged workplace culture isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a business necessity.

Throughout the event, we explored key ideas from Stephen’s book and discussed practical ways to embed a Speak Up Culture into workplace design. These conversations align closely with our own values at Workplace Creations and, as it happens, with our own exciting London office expansion (but more on that soon!).

So, to help turn all of this talk into action, we’re handing it over to Marissa. She’ll reflect on the event and share some best practices for embedding these strategies into your teams.

The concept of Speak Up Culture really resonated with me. Having spent time in workplace strategy, I understand how integral an organisation’s values are to the design of their workspace. Hearing how critical it is for businesses to truly align with their brand values, to practice what they preach, really confirmed what I’ve always believed.

A healthy culture is one where people feel safe to speak up. As Stephen points out, “leaders who do not listen will eventually be surrounded by people with nothing to say.” This is why involving employees in the brief development and co-designing the workspace is so valuable. It ensures the design is intentional, well-considered, and inclusive of diverse perspectives.

Developing a full workplace strategy can take months – time you don’t always have when facing tight deadlines like a lease break. As Stephen highlights, time pressure affects cognition and decision-making. Taking a moment to assess your workplace strategy, even briefly, leads to smarter decisions and better outcomes.

With this in mind, I applied workplace design strategies to four key areas within the Speak Up Culture concept. Let’s dive into them:

1. Connection: The Power of Smaller Communities

British anthropologist Robin Dunbar’s research suggests that humans can maintain stable relationships with around 150 people, an idea that supports the 'Hub and Spoke' workplace model, particularly in larger organisations. In this setup, a central HQ (the hub) is complemented by local satellite offices (spokes) closer to where employees live, fostering stronger, more connected communities.

This concept also aligns with creative real estate strategies, like repurposing disused retail spaces into work hubs – redefining the high street and breathing life back into local areas.

2. Equality in Collaboration: The Circle Principle

Equality in collaboration and communication is also a big factor in creating healthy dialogue. One of my favourite stories in Stephen’s book is about Nelson Mandela’s father, a tribal chief. At tribal meetings, he always ensured that everyone sat in a circle, a setup that removes hierarchy and makes all participants feel equally valued.

There was no head of the table. Everyone faced each other. Circular meeting tables and informal furniture can therefore be a psychologically safer space whilst also breaking down the ‘them and us’ dynamic.

3. Feedback, Adaptation and Learning: Designing for Growth

Honest feedback is essential for personal and professional growth, as well as for strengthening relationships. However, difficult conversations are rarely easy. "Candor with Care," a quote from Stephen’s book, really resonated with me. Incorporating easily accessible one-to-one spaces near meeting or presentation rooms can encourage immediate debriefing while thoughts are still fresh. These spaces should feel comfortable and relaxed, fostering open, constructive conversations.

The ability of leaders and line managers to identify and learn from mistakes, and to support employees in doing the same, is crucial for both personal and organisational growth. "To innovate, we must experiment." As designers, it is valuable to question the pursuit of a perfect, finished design; evolution is just as important. Mark Catchlove of MillerKnoll speaks about workplaces being in "permanent beta mode." Rather than viewing workplace design as static, organisations should continuously assess what works and make changes where needed. Flexible planning solutions, thoughtful infrastructure, and dynamic furniture allow organisations to future-proof their spaces while also empowering employees to adapt them as required.

4. Serendipity and Watercooler Moments: Designing for Human Connection

We’ve all heard about watercooler moments, but one of my favourite anecdotes in Stephen’s book is The Cranberry Muffin, a story about two colleagues who bonded over reaching for the last cranberry muffin in the office.

This is more than just watercooler moments though. It’s about creating points of connection to encourage our shared humanity. Relationship building occurs during the pauses in our day, so creating spaces that go beyond the rushed and transactional and support our human connection are crucial. Furnishing these spaces with visual prompts where teammates can share ideas, interests and even personality traits is something to be encouraged, and which can be curated in a cool and emotive way.

Real Estate Developers can also assist in supporting occupiers to promote connection by providing spaces to interact within the central building amenities, such as gyms, cafes and outdoor terraces. Even architectural considerations, like soft spots in floor slabs to allow for interconnecting staircases, can allow for increased communication and face-to-face interactions.

As we continue to explore what it truly means to foster a Speak Up Culture, one thing is clear: workplace design has a huge impact on how people interact, collaborate, and feel valued. It’s not just about creating a stylish office; it’s about designing spaces that make people feel heard, engaged, and genuinely connected to the bigger picture.

A huge thank you to everyone who helped make Culture First such a success, especially event organiser and curator, Caleb Parker from Brave Corporation.

We’d love to hear from you! How does your workplace encourage open conversations and collaboration? Drop us a comment or get in touch, we’re always happy for a chat!

Until next time,

The Workplace Creations Team.