Finding Stability in a Constantly Changing World

In a world that appears to be in a constant state of flux– perhaps more than ever – we crave stability, confidence and certainty.

The ongoing global pandemic stopping the whole world in its tracks, headlines of climate disasters, political crises or the ongoing threat of cyber attacks – is shaking up the most stable part of our minds.

In a world of constant change, is being completely stable a myth? Then again, what exactly is being stable?

However, we can focus on things we can affect to thrive in an environment defined by constant transformation. Including fostering resilience on an individual, communal and organisational level.

Schiavello – an unquestionable leader in creating world-class professional and residential environments – and it’s in-house behavioural psychology and data analytics team conducted independent research to establish what modern organisations can do to foster tenacity, adaptability and endurance. The inquiry has come back with three significant shifts the businesses can undertake in a workplace.

Shifting towards a more connected experience

With the constant change now a new normal and resilience the key quality companies should foster through responsive physical, digital, and cultural environments, user experience is a crucial consideration in the modern workplace. Schiavello’s research indicates that the need for a strong connection is central to creating positive experiences within those contexts.

That means creating ecosystems that offer resources and integration that allow employees to remain connected physically and digitally.

For example, in-person team meetings at the office are already starting to be curated in advance through the online channels, and the workforce needs to have confidence in how the physical world and digital platforms are integrated to enable those new ways of working. In addition to that, employees will have to feel empowered by their companies to organise different workplace experiences born out of a collective directive – yet supporting their individual functional needs and preferences.

A cornerstone of driving collective resilience is paying attention to the functional needs of the workforce. Ensuring the environment contributes to physical, mental and social wellbeing.

Products that have been designed specifically with malleability in mind when it comes to working and collaboration can help to achieve that

Acoustic products have been manufactured to provide visual and auditory privacy and accommodate the integration of digital tools into the physical office set-up. That, in turn, can help encourage connection on every level, creating more resilient and confident teams.

That seamless experience marks another shift – one towards cohesive online and offline experiences.

Shifting towards cohesive digital and physical environments

With the overwhelming impact of the COVID-19 crisis on workplaces worldwide, many organisations have moved – or are in the process of transitioning – to a hybrid way of working. This flexible approach allows employees to work from anywhere and, by its very nature, relies on the smooth integration of the digital and physical worlds – and on digital platforms to support the increased movement, productivity and connections between co-workers.

And while recent experiences have demonstrated that digital transformation has a long way to go and digital integration is not always as successful, Schiavello’s research tells us something vital: the physical and digital environments don’t have to be equal – but they do need to be cohesive. This notion positions tech as an enabler of the connections between people rather than their substitute. Nowadays, people are in more fluid and diverse versions of teams – and in more of them, for that matter. Because of that, cohesion across both digital and physical realms is more critical than ever before in the process of creating and cultivating these important connections. What can help achieve that is intelligent data.

Shifting towards technology enablement and intelligence

While uncertainty is hard, change can be good. In fact, some of the most advanced workplaces constantly shift in response to workplace data

Intelligent, valuable data can elevate the workforce’s self-awareness and provide them with better working conditions.

Change cannot be stopped – it is the one constant of our times. That is why the most valuable approach any contemporary company can take is to embrace it – and invest in strategies that harvest resilience.