02/09/2017

The Silver Lining of Having a Small Office Space

Tiny office spaces can lead to surprisingly fruitful ways of working and thinking

There's a reason why spacious offices are oh-so appealing. Simply put - having control of more space makes you feel more powerful, giving you the sense of freedom, choice and dominance. Designers have known this for years and have incorporated it into their architecture, layout and decorating choices. And public speaking experts note the relationship between space and power, too, urging people to adopt great posture with broad shoulders to look bold and confident.

The relationship holds in business hierarchy, as well. Only the most powerful people in a company, the senior level people who have "earned it," usually get any private accommodations. So, it's easy to associate space with success, too.

In this context, in the United States, as Esther Fung of The Wall Street Journal reports, most workers get only about 150 to 200 square feet per desk. It's worse in other countries. Australia and New Zealand for example, give workers 90 to 150 square feet, while workers in China get only about 50 to 60 square feet. Additionally, many modern companies have adopted open floor plans in an attempt to promote transparency and good communication. These designs let companies put lots of workers together in a small area plus remove many privacy barriers. Research has shown this approach can backfire in regard to productivity, with workers stressed out by elements like constant noise, interruptions and easier spread of illness.

So let's accept for a minute that itty-bitty, no-wall work spaces leave a lot to be desired, both physically and psychologically. You might not be able to grow more square footage, but that doesn't mean a small work area has to ruin your chances of success. In some ways, a smaller space might actually help you.

Please click here to read the complete article from Inc.