Six Dimensions
of Wellbeing Foster Vitality Promote Mindfulness Cultivate Belonging Embrace Authenticity Nurture Optimism Find Meaning Rethinking Wellbeing to reduced costs, sick time and turnover. People who are more engaged and dedicated at work have a more joyful home life. A University of Leicester study found countries with the greatest levels of health, wealth and education also have the happiest people. Research in India showed optimism is positively related to job performance and satisfaction. “Contrary to popular belief, joy is not fluffy,” says Tracy Brower, PhD, author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Steelcase vice president of Workplace Insights. “Joy can ebb and flow, but a general sense of wellbeing, satisfaction and fulfillment matter — a lot. In fact, these will be key ingredients for organizations to succeed in the future of work.”

There is compelling evidence that joy pays dividends. Kansas State University researchers found happier employees make better decisions and have improved job performance. Greater physical and emotional wellbeing led to reduced costs, sick time and turnover. People who are more engaged and dedicated at work have a more joyful home life. A University of Leicester study found countries with the greatest levels of health, wealth and education also have the happiest people. Research in India showed optimism is positively related to job performance and satisfaction. It’s the foundation of joy Designing workplaces that nurture people and foster moments of delight and joy requires an intentional effort to truly understand what leads to wellbeing. Gyms and healthy food at work are great benefits and part of the equation, but wellbeing runs deeper than that. New research out of the Wellbeing Research Centre indicates interventions in the work experience itself can make the biggest difference. “Contrary to popular belief, joy is not fluffy,” says Tracy Brower, PhD, author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Steelcase vice president of Workplace Insights. “Joy can ebb and flow, but a general sense of wellbeing, satisfaction and fulfillment matter — a lot. In fact, these will be key ingredients for organizations to succeed in the future of work.”

There is compelling evidence that joy pays dividends. Kansas State University researchers found happier employees make better decisions and have improved job performance. Greater physical and emotional wellbeing led to Steelcase researchers explored various aspects of wellbeing to better understand how physical places can shape behaviors and signal that organizations care about creating the conditions for people to feel better. Different people have different needs based on a wide range of factors.

Six dimensions make up someone’s physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing — meaning, authenticity, belonging, optimism, mindfulness and vitality.

Learn more about each of these dimensions below, and how they can be integrated into the physical workplace and work experience to enhance employee wellbeing and lead to moments of joy.

As people seek greater connection to who they are and how they spend their lives, the search for purpose becomes more important. People feel more satisfied at work when they know their efforts make a difference to something larger than themselves. When people find meaning in their work, they’re more likely to be engaged. Purpose can come from working on big issues like climate change. But we also find purpose in smaller ways, like understanding how our work ties to the organization’s goals. We want to know that what we do every day makes an impact.

Our workplaces can help people feel a greater sense of purpose by giving them more exposure to new ideas and ways to connect to the wider organization and the community in which they work. Construct and discover purpose in our lives, starting from within and connecting us to something bigger. Find Meaning Headers Photo Credit: Jason O’rear

Designing for Meaning Intentionally create places where leaders and employees interact both formally and informally. Consider wayfinding and shared spaces to spur spontaneous connections. Design spaces like a community garden and foster opportunities, such as inviting in non-profit groups so people can interact with the wider community to create shared meaning and support community goals. Challenge perspectives and inspire awe by promoting physical displays of new ideas, interesting areas of study or big questions that push boundaries.

Hope is associated with wellbeing, but employees today are dealing with crisis fatigue. Work-life balance is low while employee stress continues to climb. When organizations help people develop resilience and react to day-to-day challenges in a more positive, constructive way, people are better able to manage stress, be more open-minded and inclusive, and have better workplace connections and results.

The design of the workplace can support people in ways that help them have a positive mindset and greater resilience by demonstrating how employee voices are considered within the organization and embracing failure as part of learning and development. Cultivate a positive mindset, rooted in perseverance, hope and growth Nurture Optimism Hosu Coalesse Sticks
Divider Extremis Headers Photo Credit: Jason O’rear

Designing for Optimism Design moments of delight into the workplace — the lamp that also charges a phone, the lounge with embedded power, or the bright rug that catches the eye. These thoughtful details can remind people they are considered and cared for. Support co-creation and accountability for a shared vision. Make the organization’s purpose, priorities and employee feedback visible. Create protected spaces for trial and error, and deep thinking. Design learning spaces that visibly display lessons learned and celebrate a culture of growth and development.

Being open and welcoming to other perspectives, appearances, languages and cultures creates stronger teams and organizations. Yet, in ways it’s harder than ever to be real. AI makes identifying what’s true more difficult. Underrepresented groups are less likely to return to the office, in part because they are not comfortable being their authentic selves. Journal of Applied Psychology research says Black employees who advocate for themselves at work are more likely to face negative responses than their white colleagues.

Feeling like you can be yourself at work means less burnout, stress and higher engagement. Embracing who we really are requires acceptance of ourselves and others, and opens the door to authentic connections — a first step toward belonging. The workplace can help shape behavior by supporting people to feel agency over their work and encouraging expression. Create, find and express one’s true nature or self Embrace Authenticity ® Karman Steelcase Headers Photo Credit: Jason O’rear

Designing for Authenticity Enable control with flexible spaces and policies that encourage people to customize where, when and in which spaces they work. Ask leaders to take an active role in empowering employee wellbeing by modeling the use of respite spaces and moving flexible furniture to demonstrate permissions available to employees. Encourage personalization of assigned workstations and team neighborhoods even when temporarily in use.

*Global Meta-Gallup Survey 2023 There’s an opportunity for the office to play a larger role in connecting people of diverse backgrounds in meaningful ways. A sense of belonging leads to trust, empathy, generosity and engagement which is especially important since our lives outside of work are becoming more insular. Loneliness is a global epidemic (nearly 1 in 4 adults in the world report feeling lonely*). Hybrid work supports flexibility but can be a barrier for people seeking connections.

Making sure people feel included in genuine ways helps them connect to the organization and their colleagues. The types of spaces people have access to make a big difference. For example, compare an office where only executives have access to private spaces to one where anyone can find a place for solitude. A feeling of community and being accepted and valued for who you are Cultivate Belonging Cambio Viccarbe Aleta
Seating Viccarbe Headers Photo Credit: Jason O’rear

Designing for Belonging Create entrances that are warm and welcoming and promote more equitable representation with common areas and spaces to share work and life passions. Provide private work spaces and places where people can control sensory stimulation so they know it’s okay to step away from bustling activities in the office. Create social spaces, shared dining areas, a gaming community, and paths through leader spaces to amplify planned and unplanned connections.

Focusing our minds on the present moment helps us regain a sense of calm and perspective. Digital disruptions are contributing to shorter attention spans and higher stress. People are more aware of their mental health and focused on proactively improving it. Practiced over time, mindfulness strengthens our ability to concentrate and learn, and helps manage stress. This lets us pay more attention to others, build empathy and strengthen connections.

Acknowledge the practice of mindfulness as an important part of many employees’ toolkits to remain centered. While this can include a space for meditation or yoga, it can also mean providing places where people can get away from distractions to immerse themselves in a project, let their minds wander to make new connections or even take a nap. Be aware and open to the present moment, ourselves, others and our world Promote Mindfulness Lagunitas Lounge  Coalesse Lagunitas Personal Table   Coalesse Headers Photo Credit: Jason O’rear

Designing for Mindfulness Provide on-demand spaces where anyone can access visual and acoustic privacy. Create areas where people can connect with others without distractions or interference. Encourage refuge and renewal with calm retreat spaces and experiences with nature, including outdoor spaces. When people are tuned into their own emotions, they can be better prepared to express themselves and listen to others. Create spaces conscious of diverse needs for sensory stimulation. Consider a neutral, low-contrast palette, simple designs, conscious use of textures and control over lighting and acoustics.

Our physical, mental and emotional health are deeply connected. When people are healthier overall, they are better prepared to bring their best to work and life. Most people are looking for ways to stay energized so that even when they feel tired, it’s in a good way.

Access to healthy food, exercise and adequate rest will set the stage for people to perform better at work, but healthful practices should be woven into the workplace and not seen as something people are solely responsible for outside of work. Be healthy and active, in mind, body and spirit Foster Vitality B-Free Steelcase Montara650 Seating Coalesse Photo Credit: Jason O’rear

Designing for Vitality Promote regular movement throughout the day with spaces that encourage a variety of postures, walking meetings and moving to meeting rooms rather than joining virtually from the desk. *Product availability varies by region Weave natural elements (water features, plants, organic shapes and patterns) into spaces for reflection and work. Give people a place where they can get away, but also work spaces that bring the outside in. Encourage people to integrate appropriate time for restorative activities such as reading, sitting outside, or even gaming with co-workers. Signal that taking a break is okay.

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