I recently did a radio interview on the subject of environment and innovation on the Small Business Advocate Show. You can listen below.

There is a lot to the work environment and many times we’re limited by budget or physical space but there are many things you can do to enhance your environment using little resource. Don’t underestimate how the environment you create can support your leadership goals.

The key thing about environment though is congruency.

My friend Nido Qubein teaches the concept of Intentional Congruence. Have you watched his interview on ELCircle yet? (membership required). Click here. Intentional congruence in simple form means making each action you take congruent in support of your goals and mission.

How does this apply to your space?

As a young punk I joined a fabulous team. We built a very successful consulting firm and had a championship run. My first desk – a card table in a corner. My first day – on an airplane to a client site. What message did this send? – hungry, focused on clients, focused on work, getting important things accomplished is more important than where we sit. I immediately had a “back in the old days” story. I fit in and I bought in. If my values said, “I need an office” it wouldn’t have been a fit. We would have both known right away. By the way, our upgrade was to a cool house-like office in the woods, then to a more traditional space. But we always maintained that utilitarian feel in perfect synch with our style, in contrast to our money center bank client’s digs. We always felt good about coming ‘home’ and working really hard.

If you’re a cutting edge marketing firm your space should scream creativity. If you’re a manufacturing firm a little nuts & bolts is perfect. The key is consistency – congruency.

What does your work environment say to the world? Some to dos and to think abouts:

• Go and stand in the middle of your space. Look around. Use all your senses. Breathe in the environment. Are you inspired? Does it say what you want it to say? Is it efficient? Does it flow? Can you think here? How would those interacting with the environment react to this test? Same as you?
• What does the space say to customers who visit? Any possible misinterpretations that might come up based on what they see?
• What does the space say to your vendors? They are a big contributor to your reputation in the industry.
• Are your staff members getting the right message based on your space? Does the space promote their work? How many team members are not a fit with the space? Why?
• Let your team design and build the space with your participation. The design process allows for a lot of teaching and reinforcement of the culture you want. Explaining ‘why’ or ‘why not’ can be a great opportunity to teach your vision of the culture.

We can go on, but please add your experiences and ideas as a comment.

Click here for a more esoteric view of space from Seth Godin.

Photo Credit: jnyemb

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