Transform Your Office into a Haven of Inspiration and Teamwork
John Thompson was holding a pencil. Margaret Keller asked John, “Would you like an open office or your own room?” His grip tightened, almost breaking the pencil.
As we were planning for our new office and warehouse, people in the office had a different view from John. John wanted an open floor plan so that people could see each other while working, a coffee bar where people could gather and talk among themselves, and an environment that would promote collaboration and teamwork. John read some articles somewhere, and open space did make intuitive sense, but he was unsure if enough research supported the findings.
But John was the only one in the office who felt that way. Everyone else wanted individual rooms, emphasizing privacy and an environment that allowed them to focus on their work.
“How the heck did you convince John to go with this office layout?” I asked Margaret about it while we were having coffee in the morning around the new coffee machine. I almost choked on my coffee when Margaret told us what she asked John.
A few days ago, John asked Margaret, the “office mom,” to research, talk to everyone, and make a decision.
Margaret had a laid-back and calming personality. When you started talking to her, you would become calm and relaxed to the point that you would think you were having an herbal experience. We used to say that she had a reality distortion field around her.
John gave Margaret complete control to decide whether the office should have many walls or an open layout.
“Would you like an open office or your own room?” asked Margaret.
John said, “I prefer to have my room, you know, for confidential meetings and such.”
She said, “Whoa. That makes sense and there’s your answer, why would you want something different for others?”
“Margaret, I asked you to come up with a creative solution because I know you can. Open space boosts teamwork. I know what the folks want in the office. Can’t you come up with the best of both worlds?”
Margaret said she would not argue, but we also had to look at the budget and area allocated to the warehouse. “I will see if I can come up with a compromise.”
She did come up with a compromise. Most of us now have our rooms. There is more than 1 person in some of the bigger rooms, but everybody has some privacy. We also have a cafeteria (or kitchen area) where people can meet, greet, and chat while making coffee or warming up lunch.
As John walked in on us, we quickly changed our topic 🙂 John seemed happy, though, seeing all of us hanging around and talking.
“You feel the shared energy here. That’s what I like, everyone working together.”
John laughed and held up his mug. “To Margaret, the office problem-solver!”
Margaret felt a surge of pride and appreciated John’s acceptance of her final recommendation. She’d created an office where everyone could work well and still be a team.
John was right in his hypothesis, though. Research by MIT’s Human Dynamics Laboratory found that the most productive offices had open spaces allowing spontaneous, informal interactions. Open spaces encourage collaboration and transparency, promoting a sense of psychological safety.
Open space is one of the many ways any office can be alive with energy, creativity, and collaboration. The remaining nine tips follow.
Let the light come in.
- Why: Natural light improves mood, reduces stress, and increases productivity.
- Research: A study by Dr. Alan Hedge at Cornell University found that workers in daylight environments reported a 51% drop in eye strain, a 63% decrease in headaches, and a 56% reduction in drowsiness.
- Tip: Maximize natural light by keeping windows unobstructed and using glass walls for enclosed spaces.
Who knew indoor plants were also good for work?
- Why: Integrating nature into office design improves emotional well-being, creativity, and focus.
- Research: A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology shows that plants in workspaces significantly reduce stress and improve cognitive function.
- Tip: Use indoor plants, natural textures, and water features to bring a sense of nature indoors.
Shhh! Could you keep it quiet?
- Why: Employees need places to focus without distractions, which can reduce stress and increase comfort in challenging projects.
- Research: Studies by Simon Banbury and Dianne C. Berry show that noise distractions reduce cognitive performance, making quiet spaces critical.
- Tip: Incorporate soundproofed “focus pods” or designated quiet areas with calming decor to help employees concentrate.
Keep Calm and Carry On with Colors.
- Why: Colors influence emotions and psychological states—blue and green calm the mind, while yellow and orange energize.
- Research: The study by Kwallek, Woodson, et al. in Color Research & Application found that different colors affect mood and productivity levels depending on the type of work.
- Tip: Use cool tones (e.g., blue, green) in focus areas and energizing colors (e.g., orange, yellow) in collaboration zones.
Your Space, Your Decor!
- Why: Personalization makes workers feel more in control and comfortable, increasing their sense of belonging.
- Research: A study in The Journal of Experimental Social Psychology found that allowing employees to personalize their workspaces led to higher job satisfaction and productivity.
- Tip: Employees can personalize their desks with photos, artwork, or plants.
Take a (comfortable) seat; it’s going to be a wild ride!
- Why: Ergonomic furniture prevents physical strain, promoting mental well-being and productivity.
- Research: According to the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, ergonomic office design reduces workplace discomfort and injuries while improving performance.
- Tip: Invest in adjustable chairs, standing desks, and comfortable seating to cater to different working preferences.
Inspire with Monalisa’s Smile (or any other inspiring artwork)!
- Why: Art in the workplace has been shown to boost creativity, reduce stress, and improve overall job satisfaction.
- Research: A 2016 study published in the International Journal of Art Therapy found that viewing art can reduce cortisol levels and enhance positive emotions.
- Tip: Choose artwork that reflects the company’s values and mission and is uplifting and thought-provoking.
No Jazzercise here? How does walking sound to you?
- Why: Physical movement reduces stress and boosts creativity.
- Research: Stanford University research suggests walking can improve creative thinking by up to 60%.
- Tip: Design a layout that encourages walking, such as standing meeting areas, wider walkways, or even walking paths within the office.
Let’s sit down and talk it out!
- Why: Casual meeting areas promote bonding and teamwork, which fosters psychological safety.
- Research: Steelcase demonstrated that informal, comfortable seating arrangements improve communication and collaboration.
- Tip: Include lounges, coffee nooks, or breakout areas where people can relax and engage in casual conversations.
