The Workplace Strategy- One size does not fit all

A work space that allows for flexibility, balance, and autonomy will be more likely to create a dynamic, high performing organization. A manager who is tuned into the environmental influence on behavior will get better results and be better able to lead for success. Innovation is currently a hot topic, and findings such as these could become another tool in a savvy manager’s arsenal for encouraging creative thought. Managers who wish to foster innovation and creative thinking in their employees might, in fact, encourage them to let their desks get a little chaotic. Work a little casual and encourage them to approach problems in a non conventional way

Gensler the leading design firm captured first hand revolution of knowledge work—how individuals and teams create organizational value and drive performance in a recent workplace survey

Their research identified four work modes that allow the creative and innovative power of people to be fully realized:

• Focus(productive capital)—work involving concentration and attention to a particular task or project: thinking, reflecting, analysing, writing, problem-solving, quantitative analysis, creating, imagining, reviewing, assessing
• Collaborate(innovative capital)—working with another person or group to achieve a goal: sharing knowledge and information, discussing, listening, co-creating, showing
• Learn(intellectual capital)—working to acquire new knowledge of a subject or skill through education or experience: training, concept exploration and development, problem-solving, memorising, discovery, teaching, reflecting, integrating and applying knowledge
• Socialize(social capital)—work interactions that create common bonds and values, collective identity, collegiality and productive relationships: talking, laughing, networking, trust-building, recognition, celebrating, interacting, mentoring, enhancing relationships

Their findings clearly show that top-performing companies design more effective workplaces that allow people to spend higher-quality time in the work modes that matter most to success in their particular roles. Gensler analysed how effectively various work spaces supported the work modes and found that there is a dramatic opportunity for companies to leverage workspace improvements that unleash the potential of their employees and their organisation.

The Gensler survey connects profit and revenue growth and employee engagement to a well-designed workplace that supports the variety of ways people work in a knowledge economy.

No one work mode determines the effectiveness of a space. Instead, organizations that balance work modes are better positioned to achieve high performance and to avoid the pitfalls inherent to many workplaces because of rigid, one-size-fits-all thinking.

After all, most workplaces want an engaged, productive workforce, they aren’t after mindless obeisance.

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Author is a Facilities Management and Workplace Design Professional working on sustainable models . Can be reached on . Shyamkishore@indesignindia.in

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