As a business coach and mentor, I always assure my clients that open spaces will always create transparent and energized work environments.
This leads to the development and transmission of office culture across people, departments, and finally, the entire organization.
Years ago, at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? we had all our employees on two wide open floors in an office. There were no walls.
Then we moved into a downtown office tower and had to use the 14th floor of the building for the better part of a year while our real office space was constructed.
For the first time ever people had private offices, and it was interesting to see what happened. For the first week or so, people loved having their own space. They felt more focused, appeared to get more done and had the quiet they needed to think. Then, after a week, the chatter started. People said, “I miss everyone,” and, “Where is Greg? I haven’t seen him in ages,” or, “Is so-and-so sick today?” It went on and on. After about three weeks, it was unanimous: private offices killed the buzz and employees wanted their open workspace back.
Everyone knows you’re hiding out in your private office playing on FaceBook, Twitter or surfing porn. So go join the rest of your team – open up your entire office space. When I mentor CEOs I push them all to get rid of private offices. Including their own.
For more information on this topic, check out: Building a World Class Culture and Leadership at 100MPH.
