S1E3 | Designing Human-Centric Workplaces

Work the Talk is an initiative that empowers businesses to co-create workplaces of the future through sharing and deliberation. The podcast series hosts conversations with industry leaders to explore and get insights on the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities impacting workplaces across industries.

About our guest

Jan Johnson, a Principal at Workplace Collective LLC, is renowned for her expertise in workplace strategy. With a background in interior design and business administration, her career showcases a harmonious blend of analytical thinking and human-centric design. Having dedicated over 18 years at Allsteel, a prominent design and architectural leader, she brings valuable insights on crafting resilient and impactful work environments in her current role.

 

About our host

Aastha Sharma is the Co-founder & Director at Veris. She has nearly 15 years of experience in developing & executing organisational projects designed to challenge conventions. Dedicated to creating inclusive and intelligent workplaces, Aastha has spearheaded growth strategies for Veris since its inception. Beyond her professional role, Aastha is also passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion in the corporate space, she works closely with several organisations to build inclusive workplaces across various sectors.  As a devoted mother and advocate, she fosters inclusive work environments and connects with entrepreneurs navigating the dynamic SaaS landscape. Authenticity and transparent communication fuel her mission for growth and success.

 

Podcast Insights

  1. The pandemic has accelerated the need for workplace design to be more human-centric, considering employees’ emotions, engagement and support from leadership. It has also highlighted the importance of creating adaptable and flexible work environments.
  2. People’s expectations and needs have shifted. Organisations need to focus on human factors such as social cohesion, supervisory support, information sharing, goal clarity, open-mindedness, and trust to improve team productivity. 
  3. With the rise of remote and hybrid work setups, there is a growing need for face-to-face interactions and new ways to create unity and build connections, trust, and understanding among team members in hybrid environments.
  4. The consensus is that hybrid work is here to stay, but the definition and implementation of hybrid work can vary from one organisation to another.  
  5. Each organisation needs to understand its unique context and work towards defining what hybrid work means for them. It’s crucial to avoid following the trends set by big companies simply but to tailor hybrid work arrangements to fit the organisation’s specific needs.