Considering the amount of time an employee spends at work it is crucial that the organization carefully design and cultivate an environment that supports employee performance and reinforces the corporate culture.
According to Beatriz Arantes, psychologist and senior researcher at Steelcase, "Companies can have a profound impact on shaping emotions--for better or worse--simply through the design of their office. When the physical environment impacts how an employee feels--and therefore, performs at work--workspace design becomes a lot more imperative to the bottom line".
Here are some ways business leaders can achieve this:
1. Let your employees engage with their surroundings
Providing a clean and distraction-free workspace is not the best strategy to increase your employee's productivity and performance. Studies have shown that this type of office generates a 32% drop in workers' well-being and reduces their productivity by 15%. In fact, science has shown that clean and sterile environments may cause our brains to shrink, while stimulating environments can increase the volume of our brains by 15%.
Dr. Craig Knight, a psychologist at Exeter University said that allowing employees to personalize their working area could improve their performance in the office. According to his findings, employees respond better in spaces that have been enriched with pictures and plants. Moreover, employees allowed to enrich the space themselves with their own things are 32% more productive than those who don't have control over their workspace. In addition, they tend to feel more identified with their employer, strengthening their commitment to teamwork and efficiency.
Similarly, forcing employees to always maintain a clean desk, only diminishes their creativity. According to the findings of the University of Minnesota, a messy environment boosts people's imagination. Therefore, part of giving your employees control over their workspace is letting them manage their organization.
Dr. Craig Knight, a psychologist at Exeter University said that allowing employees to personalize their working area could improve their performance in the office. According to his findings, employees respond better in spaces that have been enriched with pictures and plants. Moreover, employees allowed to enrich the space themselves with their own things are 32% more productive than those who don't have control over their workspace. In addition, they tend to feel more identified with their employer, strengthening their commitment to teamwork and efficiency.
Similarly, forcing employees to always maintain a clean desk, only diminishes their creativity. According to the findings of the University of Minnesota, a messy environment boosts people's imagination. Therefore, part of giving your employees control over their workspace is letting them manage their organization.
2. Use the right colors Colors have a psychological effect on people
Companies can use them to manipulate how people associate features with their products and services or to influence the behavior of both clients and employees within the organization.
People associate colors like blue and green with nature which helps workers recover from demanding activities and reduce stress levels. They also boost the creativity of people. Therefore, it is advisable to use plants as they not only provide a greater sense of freedom but also reduce pollution of the office. In addition, you can provide this feeling of freedom with higher ceilings.
If you are interested in other articles on the psychology of color in the workspace, check this infographic, this article about how to transform your workspace with color, or finally learn how to use colors to give personality to your brand or company.
People associate colors like blue and green with nature which helps workers recover from demanding activities and reduce stress levels. They also boost the creativity of people. Therefore, it is advisable to use plants as they not only provide a greater sense of freedom but also reduce pollution of the office. In addition, you can provide this feeling of freedom with higher ceilings.
If you are interested in other articles on the psychology of color in the workspace, check this infographic, this article about how to transform your workspace with color, or finally learn how to use colors to give personality to your brand or company.
3. Create spaces that promote interaction between workers
Create formal and informal spaces where your employees can connect in person and not only through their technological devices. Having close friends and positive interactions at work significantly increases engagement. According to research conducted by the University of Virginia, workers stay on the job longer when they're plugged into a social group.
Related post: Why Employees Quit Their Job
Try using round tables, which help create a collective mindset. Rounded spaces triggered more activity in brain regions associated with reward and aesthetic appreciation. Moreover, rounded furniture is perceived as more pleasing and inviting, which promotes friendly communication. Therefore, it is better to choose curved and rounded furniture rather than sharp and straight-edged.
Finally, if you really want to promote an open culture, and interaction between your workers, eliminate the offices. Instead provide ample and well-equipped spaces, where employees can work individually or in teams, and rotate according to their needs. This approach increases the interaction between employees, which allows workers across the organization to enjoy better communication and perspective of how the company works, its objectives, and how they fit into them.
In companies like HubSpot not even the company’s founders have an office. This strategy had very good results. They rotate desk arrangements regularly and assign seating by pulling names out of a hat. The company has noted that this strategy has allowed its employees to enjoy better and easier interactions with others. Workers also appreciate the trust offered to them by company management, and respond by doing their jobs well.
Clearly, the spaces we occupy affect our productivity and morale, thus as leaders, we must design a stimulating space for both our employees and ourselves.
Related post: How To Promote The Long-Term Success Of Your New Hires
Related post: Why Employees Quit Their Job
Try using round tables, which help create a collective mindset. Rounded spaces triggered more activity in brain regions associated with reward and aesthetic appreciation. Moreover, rounded furniture is perceived as more pleasing and inviting, which promotes friendly communication. Therefore, it is better to choose curved and rounded furniture rather than sharp and straight-edged.
Finally, if you really want to promote an open culture, and interaction between your workers, eliminate the offices. Instead provide ample and well-equipped spaces, where employees can work individually or in teams, and rotate according to their needs. This approach increases the interaction between employees, which allows workers across the organization to enjoy better communication and perspective of how the company works, its objectives, and how they fit into them.
In companies like HubSpot not even the company’s founders have an office. This strategy had very good results. They rotate desk arrangements regularly and assign seating by pulling names out of a hat. The company has noted that this strategy has allowed its employees to enjoy better and easier interactions with others. Workers also appreciate the trust offered to them by company management, and respond by doing their jobs well.
Clearly, the spaces we occupy affect our productivity and morale, thus as leaders, we must design a stimulating space for both our employees and ourselves.
Related post: How To Promote The Long-Term Success Of Your New Hires
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