EP. 60 How The Post-Pandemic Workplace Creates Meaningful Gatherings in New Space Designs

The post-pandemic workplace is not going to be like it was when you worked in the office before 2020. As companies grapple with their hybrid work plans, leaders are taking this moment to refresh and reset. Leaders need to think consciously about creating a post-pandemic workplace that creates meaningful gatherings in new space designs.  In today’s episode, we interview Tracy Brower, a PhD sociologist, author and a principal with Steelcase Applied resource and consulting group. Tracy explains that instead of “getting our employees back to the office”, we need to talk about how we are going to make our return to the office more compelling.  Meaningful GatheringsYour employees want to be together, but they’ve likely made it clear that they desire to gather in person only when it makes sense. They enjoy gathering in person because they want to connect with their colleagues. Meaningful gatherings mean identifying and creating significant mini-events that purposefully require in-person presence. These in-person gatherings must be meaningful according to the people attending - not just according to the leadership. These in-person experiences need to create awe. Awe is when we feel like we belong to a part of something that's big and awesome. Meaningful gatherings create employees who are happier because these gatherings recognize their contributions. When employees see the link between their work and how it serves the purpose of the company, they feel a sense of joy. Organizations need to be really clear in sharing this link during these in-person experiences. Talk to your employees about how meaningful gatherings give people the proper recognition, feed the company's purpose, and allow for proper planning and reflection. These conversations will help compel your employees to understand the role of returning to the office.Planning & ReflectionPlanning and reflection are two activities that need to be meaningful in-person gatherings. In our  North American culture, we don't take a lot of time to reflect or to be intentional. We like to do things without planning and ignore reflection. Planning and reflection are two critical activities in a successful organization. Planning and reflection help feed a sense of team belonging and encourages a growth mindset. These gatherings allow employees to develop and stretch which is directly correlated with employee happiness.Stakeholder-Focused GatheringsBring in your customers or stakeholders for a small event to share stories with potential customers or employees. For example, host an event where you invite your current customers and your potential customers and let your current customers share stories about their success with your organization. This gathering creates more unity between not only your current and potential customers, but also between your employees as well.Alone, TogetherMany organizations are now using their work cafés for remote workers who need to do focus work, and also want to be around other people. Unlike a productive work-from-home space, Alone Together is a gathering similar to an internal We-Work. These office spaces allow remote workers to reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, even if they’re not working with the other people in the space.  CelebrationsThere are many meaningful reasons to celebrate inside your organization. When celebrating, some companies use an artifact, like a cart, to use for their celebrations. This cart gets rolled out for events like baby showers, cocktail hours, and honoring employees.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.