There has been a lot of research on the impact of open office plans on team morale. The majority of it points to the same conclusion: open office plans boost team morale. There are many reasons for this, but here are three of the most important reasons why open office plans boost team morale.
1. Help People to Collaborate More Effectively
When people are positioned side-by-side, they can easily confer with each other. This is especially important when multiple team members need to work on the same project or task. They do not need to rely on phone calls or emails that may get stuck in spam filters. It also makes it easier to ask questions of colleagues and get quick responses. This breeds creativity and collaboration, which can significantly impact team morale. Additionally, when team members are close together, they can see each other’s body language and facial expressions. This helps them to understand the emotional state of others and respond appropriately.
2. Help Team Members to Communicate More Effectively
Open office plans encourage very natural communication between team members, especially when people are positioned near each other. Communication is key to positive team morale because it helps people to feel heard and understood which can have a big impact on how happy they are at work. They are also more likely to understand the needs or concerns of their colleagues, which can help to increase their sense of belonging. It also helps people to learn from one another and to be more open and honest with each other. This builds trust among team members, which is a key factor in improving team morale and increasing job satisfaction.
3. Help People to Feel Like They are Contributing to Something Bigger Than Themselves
Since everyone can see everything that is going on in the office, it is much harder for individuals to isolate themselves from their colleagues or hide when things get tough. This can lead team members to care about each other more deeply, which helps them to bond as a team and work together toward big goals. They can see their colleagues working hard and sharing a common goal, which helps them to feel more connected and invested in the success of the team. It also inspires them to go the extra mile and make that extra effort to boost team morale, even when they may not be in a good mood themselves. This is vital to creating a positive team culture and keeping morale high over the long term.
While there has been some criticism of open office plans, it is clear that these layouts have numerous benefits for teams. Whether you are looking for ways to boost collaboration, communication, or a shared sense of purpose within your team, an open office plan can be a great solution. So, if you want to improve team morale, consider giving your team an open office plan and watch your team members become more productive and connected.
