We need to create workspaces that support and nurture our senses – be they visual, auditory or spatial.

This is because human beings are social animals. We are biologically conditioned to live and work in groups, in conjunction with other people. We find it difficult to live in isolation without the support of the group. We learn from one another, we pick up norms and rules of behavior from each other and we learn how to co-operate with other members of our team. There is a social and emotional need for us to belong and contribute to our group.

At the workplace, we come together to work as a team. We use our brain and knowledge and thoughts to meet corporate objectives. We believe we work purely on logic and rationality but the truth is that we work basis our emotions and our senses which impact our behavior. We build social relationships and structures at the workplace to support our tasks.

Cuts down on efficiency and productivity

If our work-station is located in a busy area where there is an influx of noise and movement that disturb and interrupt us, we are likely to be distracted from our work to whatever is diverting our attention. This cuts down on efficiency and productivity. We therefore need spaces that are conducive to thought, concentration, creativity, which motivate and encourage us to put in our best. Many of today’s workplaces act as deterrents to high level performance.

Another thing that negatively affects our intellectual ability is mental health problems – depression and burn-out often lead to low productivity. A large number of these problems are work related. In order to counter these issues, it is essential for the group to extend help and support to its members. The group is held together by a common corporate goal no doubt but the bond between members is an emotional one, which is what gives them the mental and emotional strength to achieve their objectives. The group has to build and maintain a sense of security, purpose and community for its members to truly do well. Acknowledgements of work done, appreciation for their contribution and their ability to say no when necessary, group bonding is what protects and sustains people and makes them resilient.

Self-worth increases when people feel engaged

Research has shown that productivity and self-worth increase when people feel engaged. They need their lives to be comprehensible and manageable but even more importantly, they need their live to be meaningful – this is the biggest predictor for mental health. When people feel there is a purpose to their life, when they feel are contributing they feel worthwhile – this is true in every situation, whether is emergencies and crises or in everyday life and at work.

Burn-out occurs when social relationships within the group, at work break down. Thus we need to strengthen structures and relationships at the workplace to prevent people from burn-out situations. If our relationship structures promote fear and control, they endanger situations and cause disengagement. In order to foster growth we need to create relationship structures that are co-operative and protective, that engage and involve, that support and sustain. Burn-outs happen when the group fails to engage the individual.

We need to look at the global aspect of work and create human workplaces where there is a sense of community, a strong teamwork and a shared vision which truly engages every member. Only then will the world and the individual realize their true worth.