![\"Jim](\"https:\/\/images.steelcase.com\/image\/upload\/c_fill,dpr_auto,q_70,h_185,w_185\/v1440522960\/www.steelcase.com\/14-0000593.jpg\")
By personal wellbeing, I mean the \u201cwhole\u201d person at work\u2014mind, body and soul\u2014and I realized that the physical workplace could be a powerful agent in providing an environment in which people can thrive, which would in turn allow us to build the kind of resilient and agile organization we wanted to be.<\/p>\n
Since then, work has become even more complex and intense for nearly everyone. Stress-induced issues \u2013 the extreme opposite of wellbeing\u2014is a risk factor that leaders can and must proactively manage, within themselves and within their organizations. People who are overly stressed, over-worked and anxiety-plagued can\u2019t frame challenges in an optimistic way and move things forward. In contrast, people who feel supported are unbounded in what they can accomplish and in the deep personal satisfaction that they gain from their work.<\/p>\n
Our research over the past decade has shown us that if a workplace provides all the bandwidth\u2014all the technology connections, tools and resources that people need for their tasks and projects\u2014it can reduce friction and amplify human capabilities. It can eliminate the restraints, irritants and workarounds that slow people down and cause stress unnecessarily. As we continue to research and learn, these things become identifiable and solvable. This is what drove our decision to launch a new research project focused specifically on worker and workplace wellbeing. We wanted to look closely at what the building blocks are and how the workplace can be a source of wellbeing day-to-day. And we continue to learn about the power of place in providing an environment that serves to provide the harmony that I described earlier.<\/p>\n
I have been fortunate in my career to have some great leaders as my mentors. One of the many insights I gained from Bob Pew, who was our CEO for decades before me, was that humans need enrichment, at work as well as away from work. If you\u2019re going to make an investment in a facility, make sure it\u2019s designed with an understanding of what really matters to people \u2013 their psychological as well as physical needs. That\u2019s stayed with me, and it\u2019s fundamental to who we are at Steelcase and what we do.<\/p>\n
A bond is formed when a person joins a company. A workplace designed with employee wellbeing in mind can be a source of pride as well as a source of inspiration to achieve the purpose that drives the organizations reason for being. It can be a place that makes people feel good about being part of the enterprise; a place that they want to show family and friends, a place that is a visual representation of what their company stands for.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been my experience as CEO of Steelcase for the past 19 years, that work is inherently a social endeavor, and that when you understand the purpose and emotional health of great companies is centered around people, you can take performance to a much higher level.<\/p>\n
Creating places that provide for the wellbeing of people at work is critical for success. It\u2019s that simple. And that powerful.<\/p>\n