How can workspace design adapt to different personality types and Moods

-
Workplace designs should focus on improving productivity and employee satisfaction. Today there is a renewed focus on creating flexible, or agile offices, that feature a variety of work zones and accommodate the five major personality types and allow employees to change their environment in relation to the task they are performing.
Workplace design is complicated by the fact that there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. Furthermore, one source says there is insufficient evidence to show different personality types respond differently to the office environment in terms of distraction, job satisfaction and performance.
However, other studies have found the environment can impact performance and job satisfaction in employees that are performing specific activities. Common sense and personal experience confirms this is a true reflection of workplace environments.
Ultimately, it is regarded that different personality types have preferred ways of working. Whilst some people thrive in open-plan offices, others prefer single space offices.
However, to design offices that accommodate an entire workforce, it is important to understand the various personality types because we adopt qualities of each type depending on the type of task we are performing.
ACTIVITY-BASED WORKING AND PERSONALITY TYPES
Attempting to design an office that enables every personality to thrive is impossible using traditional methods. The conception of activity-based working, on the other hand, creates a variety of work settings that supports the needs of individuals when they need it.
In effect, ABW is a people-centred office design which fits into the agile office model. It accommodates the fluctuation of workflows but also delivers personal preferences that are influenced by personality traits.
EXTRAVERSION
Extraversion deals with the extrovert vs introvert conundrum. Whilst the former thrive in collaborative spaces, the latter perform better in quiet environments where they have a place to think.
In the current paradigm, it is extraversion that is mostly dictating office design. The agile office, for example, encourages dynamic interactions between extroverts to brainstorm, discuss and innovate whilst accommodating introverts in quiets nooks.
Creating spaces with extraversion in mind will form the basis of modern office designs. However, in-between spaces are also required to accommodate conscientious workers and neurotics.
AGREEABLE, OPEN AND CONSCIENTIOUS PERSONALITY TYPES
Individuals that are agreeable are, quite clearly, the easiest to please. However, because this personality type is co-operative and encourages social harmony, they are more susceptible to distraction in open-plan spaces.
Agreeable personality types are typically ambivert and fall somewhere in the middle of extroverts and introverts. They adapt easily, feel at ease with social interaction but also want quiet spaces where they can focus, rejuvenate and refresh.
Individuals that are open to experience, on the other hand, enjoy variety and change. They thrive in a flexible working space and tend to be more imaginative and creative.
NEUROTIC PERSONALITIES IN THE WORKPLACE
Neurotics are very sensitive to environmental stimuli. Bright colours, high noise levels, busy spaces overwhelm the senses and impair cognitive function. When the senses of neurotics are overloaded, it invites stress and negatively impacts performance. 
Employees with neuroticism need a balanced environment where they can have their own space but speak to co-workers they feel comfortable with. Enclaves, private rooms and cosy lounge corners are ideal for neurotics. 
Like introverts, neurotics need to be encouraged to seek out places that enable them to focus and perform at their productive best. The conscientious neurotic will not let you down.
WORKSPACE DESIGNS SHOULD CONSIDER SPATIAL DENSITY
When considering office designs that are best suited to personality types, designers also have to consider psychological influences that affect space.
The amount of personal space individuals have in the workplace has a significant impact on performance, job satisfaction and general wellbeing. Indoor environmental quality (IEQ) which includes temperature, humidity, air quality, lighting, daylight and views to the outside all impact the overall comfort of employees.
THE IMPACT OF AGILE OFFICE DESIGNS 
Creating a variety of workspaces that accommodate the needs of the Big 5 personality types is key to improving job satisfaction and ultimately productivity.
The focus to establish social areas and stimulate interaction between employees has been reinvented. Modern office designs maintain the principles of open-plan offices but also incorporate traditional layouts that support workers when they need to focus their concentration.  
To ensure you find the right workplace balance, consult Dreamspace interior office designers that understand how space impacts cognitive behaviour in people with different personalities. Office design is a major step towards improving employee satisfaction and increased productivity – so it's worth your while getting it right!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Inspiring Office Meeting Rooms Design

-
Image
Creating a pleasant meeting environment and having an office design that makes everyone feel comfortable has a lot to do with the way a meeting goes and how it is perceived. Some offices have decided to give a playful twist to this particular area and the designs they now feature are some of the most inspiring you can find. The informal quick meeting We know that a high table with high chairs encourages a short meeting. One can also leave out the chairs and just stand up, which quite clearly indicates that it is only going to be a quick chat. One can certainly drink a cup of coffee or iced water while chatting. Perhaps a bit loosely and informally about a coming project, relaxed, one leans slightly over the table or in a Activity-based Working style which may even be located in an open-plan room where others are working at the same time. Meeting room or Modern Workplace? A round table in the meeting room will encourage a discussion. The round table ...
Read more

5 Office Lounge area ideas that work

-
Image
If the concept of an office lounge area makes you shudder, thinking of all the work that could be piling up as employees socialize, relax! Lounge areas in the modern office are more about giving your employees the variety and choice in which to do their best work than any real lounging. Workstyle The school of thought for years was that employees needed a quiet, distraction free, and most often, separate workspace to work effectively. While it’s true that too much distraction and lack of privacy can be a barrier, employees work most effectively in a number of ways depending on their role, their individual preferences, and even their industry. In fact, that same Gensler study found that the best workplaces “provide a balanced environment that supports both collaboration and focus effectively.” What’s more, team building and collaboration are some of the highest ranked aspects in the office, ahead of individual values. In short, the 9 to 5 desk scenario can be stiflin...
Read more

Merging Tech and Design for Workplace Wellness

-
Image
Long gone are the days when employees sit all day in inflexible workspaces, adjusting themselves - and their needs -  to the physical conditions of the workplace. The new model for the workplace no longer fits employees into a predesigned worksite but, using technology, redesigns the worksite to fit the needs of the employee. Just like our smartphones and smartwatches, our workplaces are being reinvented to be just as smart. Smart buildings leverage big data, the Internet of Things (IoT), and intelligent Building Management Systems (iBMS) to assess the physical conditions of the workplace and adjust them to meet employee needs. These tech systems facilitate and improve employee wellbeing and performance by modifying objects connected to the internet, such as light bulbs, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, office chairs and desks, coffee machines, and even whole office spaces. Smart technology collects data from these objects and generates automated and ...
Read more