The Culture Experiment

10

Change Your Scene

Today, I ditched my home office for the kitchen table. Yes, I swapped my ergonomic chair and big screen for crumbs, chaos, and a lot of, “Dad, where’s the ketchup?” Was my professional set-up less polished? Definitely. More fun? Absolutely.

Change where you’re physically working from today – encourage your team-mates to do the same,  wherever they are! See how it impacts you all.

 The EXPERIMENT

Pack a Survival Kit Laptop, charger, noise-cancelling headphones, and snacks (always snacks).

Change Location: Ditch your usual spot and work somewhere new today. Here are some wild ideas:

  • That new coffee shop (with the interesting looking buns. ALWAYS SNACKS, PEOPLE.)
  • Your kid’s art table, glitter glue optional.
  • The office reception area (the plants may be fake, but the gossip keeps things real).
  • Another team’s area – see what’s going with them.

 WHY TRY IT

  1. Fresh Stimuli, Fresh Ideas: New sights and sounds wake up your brain. The buzz of a coffee grinder? Instant inspiration. The dishwasher’s hum? Surprisingly meditative…
  2. Hello, Social Life! Changing your spot is a catalyst for unexpected convos. Today, I’ve had plenty of chats and giggles with my kids (and laughter is like a superfood for the brain).
  3. Closeness = Collaboration. MIT’s Thomas Allen famously discovered that people communicate much more when they’re working closer together. Six meters or less is optimum (see that barge pole? Please touch them with it).
  4. Micro-Wins = Mega Motivation: Every time you adapt to a new workspace, your brain high-fives you with dopamine. Take the win!

Look, the kitchen table might not be the stuff of Instagram office envy, but it’s given me a lift today. Tomorrow, who knows? I’m thinking… reception desk…or even the broom cupboard (even though that mop looks suspiciously like it’s judging me…).

It’s not about finding the perfect spot; it’s about mixing things up, and seeing where it takes you. Does your team enjoy a boost in energy – and connect on a more personal level – when sharing their new views?

Wherever you’re working, it can’t be worse than working with Dwight…