Read part 1 - The Future of Work was shifting long before the lockdown Read part 2 - The Suit is Dead, and So is the "Professional Persona" We’ve established that the "blurring of lines" started with the BlackBerry in the 90s and was solidified by the casualisation of the office in the 2000s. The pandemic was simply the final push. So, where does that leave us? Many organisations are currently trying to "fix" the culture by mandating a Return to Office (RTO). They are trying

The relaxation of the dress code was a physical manifestation of these blurring lines. If we no longer have a “uniform” to take off, we have to find new, intentional ways to signal to our nervous systems that the workday is over.

To lead through change today, we need to stop blaming the pandemic and start addressing the three-decade-old habits that brought us here.

Too often, design decisions are made from a top-down perspective, assuming a universal “ideal colleague” who rarely exists. What senior management needs from a workplace may not reflect the needs of the wider organisation. True inclusion requires a shift: from designing for our colleagues to designing with them. So, how do we embed inclusion into our projects to achieve the objective of creating a genuine sense of belonging within a new workplace?  When physical space is de

We often talk about workplaces being "fit for purpose", but what does that actually mean? For me, it's when workplaces are designed with DEIB in mind. Allowing every single person to feel they belong, can thrive, and contribute their best work - their purpose. Whilst diversity helps us identify needs and equity levels the playing field, inclusion and belonging ensure that everyone feels welcome and accepted. This ‘ I ’ and ‘ B ’ is pivotal for all when it comes to the physica

A few months ago, I made the transition from clinical medicine to workplace consulting, and safe to say, it’s been quite the journey. While there were certainly some culture shocks at first, I was surprised by how many common traits emerged between industries that, at first glance, seem worlds apart. 1. Listening to people In medicine, you learn how to take a medical history; how to ask the right questions to build a clear picture of the situation while developing trust and r

The pandemic didn’t just disrupt where we work, it has rewritten the unspoken social contract between employers and employees. For decades, the social contract of work was relatively stable: employees came to the office, worked the allotted hours and in return received pay, progression and a sense of belonging. The office wasn’t just a building, it was the symbolic corporate centre of loyalty, culture and career growth. That contract has been shredded. Working from home durin

If you’ve ever wondered how organisations figure out how much office space they actually need, the answer usually starts with a space budget. A space budget is an indicative space-planning tool. In plain English, it’s a simple way to work out how much space an organisation needs - and what that space should be made up of - before you start designing, signing leases or spending any money o n a fit-out. It’s the bridge between a strategic vision (“We want to work flexibly and c

Business communication tools like Microsoft Teams, Slack, and Zoom have revolutionised how employees connect. Real-time communication is now possible across locations and time zones and these tools have become essential to the rise of hybrid work. While they enable communication, they don’t always guarantee it. That's because communication isn't just about having access. It's shaped by invisible structures: social hierarchy, cultural expectations and unspoken rules about when

It’s been almost two months since our industry English Channel relay swim, and the energy is still buzzing! Those who know me know I’ve completed a number of long-distance challenges, most of them solo. A solo challenge is a massive personal adventure that pushes you to your absolute limit. However, there is something uniquely special about completing a monumentally difficult task as part of a team. When you work collectively toward an exciting goal - especially while raising

How do you get better at what you do? We take inspiration from the Red Arrows. After every flight, the team sits down together and, without judgment or hierarchy, replays what happened. They analyse their performance, offer honest feedback and learn from each other. It’s a simple but powerful technique that anyone can use. And at HCG, we’ve done just that. At a recent project lunch, our senior consultant, Miles McLeod, walked the team through an ongoing project, sharing the k

“Younger employees just don’t communicate the same way.” It’s a comment we’ve heard more than once. When you look more closely at the return-to-office debate, the tension often comes down to comfort levels and what is the perceived 'norm' of different generations. Different generations have grown up with different ways of connecting, learning and working. For many senior professionals, face-to-face time and the “osmosis” of learning in the office are core to how they develope

The world of work has changed dramatically since COVID-19. The traditional five-day office week is now a rarity, replaced by hybrid...

The last quarter of 2024 has seen headlines highlighting some employers demanding full-time return-to-office arrangements and scaling...

In today’s competitive business landscape, optimising the workplace experience is not just a nice-to-have; it’s a critical component for...

If you were born between 1997 and 2012, you fall into the Gen Z category. Our marketing executive Marianne Spencer sat down with Lauren...

The concept of the "hushed hybrid" trend has recently emerged in the news, referring to managers who quietly defy company-wide...

In recent years, the concept of neurodiversity has gained significant attention, advocating for a more inclusive and holistic...

Leveraging liminality can be a pivotal moment for re-evaluating cultural norms and identity. Even amidst the backdrop of everyday rituals...

Many times, people rush to reach the end of a project, whether it's a finished workplace or a complete office move. Yet, there is so much...