Human behaviour sits at the heart of workplace design.
Creating an office environment that supports different ways of working is paramount for businesses today. One way to understand, compartmentalise and distinguish how we work is by exploring the concept of the Five Work Modes. These modes – Focus, Collaborate, Rest, Socialise and Learn – are underpinned by different types of human behaviour. Understanding what drives human behaviour can help businesses to support and provide employees working in the knowledge-economy with dedicated spaces designed to cater to their specific work needs throughout the day.
Where did the study of organisational behaviour come from?
Whilst it’s challenging to attribute the origin of the Five Work Modes to a single individual, it is clear they have emerged as a result of collective insights and changing workplace dynamics. The concept has evolved over time, and is heavily influenced by various disciplines such as psychology, neuroscience and organisational behaviour. Put most simply, researchers and workplace experts, like Ikujiro Nonaka and Hirotaka Takeuchi, have proven that different work tasks require different types of work environments.
Nonaka and Takeuchi believed that this theory could drive innovation in business and created four activity-based working styles – Focus, Collaborate, Learn and Socialise. Thought leaders have popularised the concept in business over the years, like author Cal Newport, who advocated for minimising distraction and creating dedicated spaces for undisturbed focus. As the world of work has continued to develop and innovate, Rest has more recently been recognised as a vital component to stimulate creativity and enhance productivity, thus completing the Five Work Modes as we know today.
How are the Five Work Modes disrupting the workplace?
When we look back on the history of office design, it took the advent of technology in the workplace to force companies to look at office design in a more holistic, human-centred manner. As technology developed, workers became more mobile thanks to digital connectivity. Consequently, we saw the introduction of agile working and activity-based working – in some ways, we can interpret the Five Work Modes as an extension and evolution of this thinking, a further catalyst for change in workplace design.
By introducing dedicated spaces for different ‘work modes’, employers can provide individuals and teams with environments that are better suited to the varying natures of work and preferences in working style. Giving your people the power to choose or customise their environment has shown to enhance productivity, engagement, and overall job satisfaction.
How can we implement the Five Work Modes in office interior design?
To implement the Five Work Modes through office interior design, there are a number of things you’ll need to consider; What kind of work will your employees be carrying out? What kind of spaces, equipment and tools will they need to do their best work? How do you want your team to experience the space, and what subsequent culture do you want to form from this?
