In the ever-evolving landscape of work, the concepts of privacy and concentration have taken on newfound significance when it comes to analysing the employee experience. With the rise of hybrid work models and the blurring of boundaries between personal and professional spaces, employees are seeking environments that cater to their need for focused work without sacrificing comfort and productivity. As homes become increasingly adept at facilitating concentration, offices are challenged to keep pace with the amenities that support uninterrupted workflow, however catering to different personalities with different needs when it comes to privacy levels and concentration methods, means designing a one size fits all office solution is out of the question.
Hotbox caddies and laptop bags represent innovative solutions in this quest for an optimised and flexible workplace environment. These tools offer organisation and personalisation, helping employees create their own cocoon of productivity amidst the bustling office atmosphere to suit their individual needs. By providing designated spaces for essentials and offering mobility, they empower individuals to curate their surroundings, whether they're working at their desk or moving around the office.
Alongside the tools you use to equip your team to encourage flexibility, enabling Hotdesking is something that can also be useful for reducing costs, driving engagement and even being a workplace boredom buster. But once again, it is not a one size fits all solution. Creating different spaces to cater for different personality types, ie. Extroverts and Introverts, is crucial to ensure everyone feels like their individual access to appropriate privacy and concentration is valued and protected.
Personality Styles: Extroverts & Introverts
It's estimated that somewhere between 50% and 74% of us are extroverts. So not only are extroverts in the majority - they also often seem to get a far sweeter deal in the workplace.
Studies have consistently found that extroverts are more likely to be happier ; are more likely to be paid higher salaries ; and more likely to be promoted to management positions.
Perhaps this is unsurprising given that work now involves endless networking events, conferences, calls and meetings‚ but given that at least 1 in 3 of us are introverts, we need to think about how to support different personality types at work.
There is a psychological reason why open-plan offices favour extroverts. Aside from the fact that you're always visible and on show, which naturally favours more extroverted personality types; extroverts are also able to focus more easily in noisy surroundings .
This is because the brains of introverts and extroverts are actually wired differently. Dopamine, a chemical released by our brains whenever we experience something positive, has different effects.
Introverts have a lower dopamine threshold, meaning that they need less stimulation to feel rewarded; whereas extroverts need more stimulation to feel fulfilled. This explains why introverts are more likely to feel overwhelmed than extroverts in noisy, distracting or busy surroundings.
Psychologist Donna Dawson writes that hot-desking takes away a sense of your own space and security and contributes to feeling like a cog in a machine - so the need for personalisation is a crucial battle in making hot-desking work for employees.
More shockingly, a recent study from Harvard researchers shows that open-plan offices actually reduce face to face interactions between staff members; perhaps because people feel so on display and so try to regain some privacy by intentionally cutting down on social interactions; and this also goes for both personality types.
The answer, as in many cases, is moderation and freedom of choice - or having different areas which support both introverted and extroverted tendencies.
Both groups will need different spaces at different times, so having these varied spaces designed for privacy (single booths, one-person offices) alongside collaboration spaces (breakout areas, large standing-meeting desks) will benefit both groups. And that's the good news. In terms of design, extroverts and introverts actually need the same thing: variety.
It's not just about space when we're talk about Privacy and Concentration. Similarly, you should consider changing the way you do things. Instead of meetings that rely on verbal communication in a group, you could consider one-on-one meetings, online chat or feedback on documents as other ways of enabling introverts to do their best work.
Catering for Collaboration & Individual Focus
The shift towards remote work during the pandemic has reshaped expectations for the workplace. While offices were once seen as epicentres for collaboration, the reality is that employees often require moments of solitude for concentrated tasks. This realisation underscores the importance of designing offices that prioritise both collaboration and individual focus. Data from Leesman certified workplaces emphasise this point, revealing that great workplaces excel in supporting activities requiring concentration and acoustic privacy, rivalling the comforts of home.
One of the standout features of exemplary workplaces is their commitment to providing alternative quiet spaces. Whether it's designated quiet rooms or secluded corners for solitary work, these environments recognise the diverse needs of hybrid workers who navigate between office and home settings. By addressing the challenge of noise levels and offering tailored solutions, these workplaces create conducive environments where employees can thrive.
The significance of acoustic privacy cannot be overstated, particularly in knowledge-intensive roles where uninterrupted focus is paramount. Research consistently highlights the correlation between noise levels and productivity, reaffirming the need for workplaces to prioritise acoustic comfort. Even in outstanding workplaces, however, there is room for improvement, with satisfaction levels regarding noise still below optimal levels.
The quest for privacy and concentration in the workplace is an ongoing journey shaped by evolving work dynamics and employee expectations. By leveraging innovative tools from Hotbox and prioritising the creation of quiet, focused spaces, organisations can foster environments where productivity thrives. As the lines between home and office blur, the workplace of the future will be defined by its ability to adapt to the changing needs of its occupants, striking a delicate balance between collaboration and solitude.