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Some Considerations For New 'Hybrid' Workspaces
A thread from our Psychosocial Director @GrahamFJFawcett
A thread from our Psychosocial Director @GrahamFJFawcett
Many organisations are figuring out how to function best as they emerge from lockdown, asking questions like:
Do we return to the office?
Or keep working virtually?
Or a hybrid of the two?
Do we return to the office? Or keep working virtually? Or a hybrid of the two?
In designing our new workspaces (real world or virtual) there are 3 human aspects that need to be built into our designs:
serendipity
social capital
physicality
Let me explain each one, and then share four possible solutions...
serendipity social capital physicalityLet me explain each one, and then share four possible solutions...
SerendipityMany of our most creative or insightful processes occur during random, unplanned activities or encounters. Offices enhance the possibility of these happening, but virtual environments dampen them down.
Social CapitalMost of us try to move beyond transactional relationships (âif you do X Iâll pay you Y') to socialised ones (âIf I like my team Iâll go the extra mileâ). But lately itâs as if social capital is running on battery power, reliant on memories of informal contact.
PhysicalityZoom is helpful, but being in the same room adds colour - you see colleague's doodles, smiles of appreciation, tapping of feet when bored. All of this adds to the vibe of our workspaces and provides clues about possible alliances and our collective mood.
And so, hereâs four possible solutions:
Recognise early on that it's challenging to run an organisation entirely virtually - making spaces to come together in-person periodically is invaluable.
Recognise early on that it's challenging to run an organisation entirely virtually - making spaces to come together in-person periodically is invaluable.
Have regular check-in spaces (NOT meetings). These are entirely non-agenda driven and last no more than an hour. They can help people reflect and share ideas.P.S. Start as many meetings as possible with 'check-ins'
Have parties. Regularly. These can be around a festival, a birthday or just for the heck of it. I suggest they:
Happen in core work time
AREN'T compulsory
ARE creativeIf youâre stuck for ideas, try Charades.
It's sometimes good to just pick up the phone! 
Donât e-mail Donât set up a Zoom meeting Donât double guess the other personâs schedule Just wander into their space. If you were working together youâd do thatâŚ
For more detail and fewer GIFs, read Graham's full blog here: http://bit.ly/2NkDLny
And if you're stuck with this challenge in your own organisation, we can help. Email us: info [at] thrive-worldwide [dot] org
And if you're stuck with this challenge in your own organisation, we can help. Email us: info [at] thrive-worldwide [dot] org
