The Work Ecosystem - Understanding the Workplace Environment

We’re all part of numerous eco-systems in life - some more regimented than others. Take for example your home eco-system. This may consist of the stock standard nuclear family, the more common blended family, or simply yourself, your partner and ‘x’ amount of animal stickers on your back windscreen. Whatever the mix that this eco-system may consist of, there are going to be challenges and patterns that naturally form. The same goes for the workplace eco-system. The difference you may ask? Well, the complexities and melting pots of backgrounds often lead to a very different climate to your one at home. It is this climate, or better yet ‘atmosphere’, that can make or break the feeling that creeps in on a Sunday afternoon when you start thinking about the week ahead.

An eco-system is a powerful metaphor to apply when looking at a workplace. It is the complex and interconnected system that fills the space of our workplace. The scary thing is that the atmosphere, that is consequently created, can drastically impact employees’ attitudes and motivations at work. In turn, having a dire effect on workplace satisfaction, longevity and performance. If it’s not already crystal clear, here’s the breakdown: a positive and engaging workplace atmosphere is crucial for employee retention, satisfaction and overall productivity. How managers set up their ‘eco-system’ dictates the formation of work culture and the ‘vibe’ that engulfs the daily 9 til 5.

Inspiring workplaces are, to an extent, discarding traditional job descriptions and instead hiring on the best fit for the role. These workplaces recognise the importance of the atmosphere and how hiring the ‘right fit’ allows the eco-system to harmoniously continue. For this harmony to occur it is better to look at our eco-system as a team rather than token individualism. We’re not saying individual identity isn’t valued but it is enhanced when supported in a team environment. In ‘The Human Side of Enterprise: The Wisdom of Teams’ author Douglas McGregor details 11 Characteristics of Effective Teams. A key characteristic is that disagreement is often viewed as good, and that there is frequent constructive criticism that is well received by employees. If these sorts of conversations and differences cannot take place, healthily in a workplace, then there is a threatening flaw in the workplace eco-system. These characteristics, voiced by McGregor, highlight that strengths lie in diversity. Diversity can only thrive in a climate that supports it.

One cannot underestimate the importance of an engaging and honest atmosphere at work. How we fit into this atmosphere, and either enhance or derail it, is also thought for future consideration. A 2012 survey, carried out by Forbes, exposed that 89% of hiring failures were caused by a poor fit into the workplace environment. How the employee would fit into the eco-system had not been considered upon recruitment. Parallel to this is the view that hiring people based purely on skills would result in companies with minimal chemistry, quickly evaporating all morale. There would be no morale fuelling the employee on Sunday afternoon as they began thinking about the week ahead. However, hiring people who embody the company’s culture creates a cohesive team, and can make the workplace atmosphere more appealing to potential new recruits.

The workplace atmosphere can directly impact the effectiveness and future growth of the company. If employees are constantly watching the clock, or already counting down to Friday - on a Monday morning - then a key factor is amiss in the company’s eco-system. Take the time to consider the eco-system(s) you are a part of, and the distinct role you play within it. You don’t have to be on the same page as one another, but you do have to be reading the same book.