People Strategies: Tailor work environment to maximize performance

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Linda Bower is a speaker, executive coach and human performance improvement consultant in Rogersville.|ret||ret||tab|

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What if you wanted to be a professional chef but couldnt stand to work in a commercial kitchen with the heat, yelling and pushing? |ret||ret||tab|

Some variation of this conflict exists within all of us. The challenge is to articulate the kind of environment that is most conducive to our personal productivity, and then find a way to create it. |ret||ret||tab|

The exodus to home offices, for example, has been right for some and insufferable for others. Many people have generated ideas on how to adjust to new work habits. Some learned that they just couldnt work from home. |ret||ret||tab|

Ive been working, virtually for the past 13 years, except for one. I found I could no longer work well in an office. The point is there is no right environment; its a question of the right environment for each individual. |ret||ret||tab|

Often people think their employers have complete control of their work environment and there is nothing the individual can do. Dont judge too hastily. Most employers are apt to listen when it comes to improving productivity or reducing costs.|ret||ret||tab|

The Inventure Groups program, Creating Career Vitality, is the source material I use when consulting in the area of career enhancement. |ret||ret||tab|

Here is a simple exercise from Inventure to help you see how aligned your environmental preferences are with your work environment. Following the exercise are suggestions for reflecting on your answers.|ret||ret||tab|

Draw a line down the center of a page; label the columns, Current and Preferred. Consider the following factors and note the details of your current situation and the details of the environment you would prefer. |ret||ret||tab|

Organization size: 500+ employees, 10 or fewer, alone, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

Physical space: Outdoors, indoors, private, open, office, plant, home, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

Organizational climate: Formal, informal, fast- or slow-paced, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

Time schedule: 8-5, flex-time, part-time, project-based, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

Supervision: Close and warm, distant and independent, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

People: Personalities, styles, values, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

Financial: Salary, incentives, commission, freelance, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

Location: Close to home, travel, relocation possibilities, etc.|ret||ret||tab|

Other: What other factors are important to you?|ret||ret||tab|

Chances are, some of the factors are aligned and some arent. How significantly have the misaligned areas been affecting your performance with fulfilment at work? If the answer is insignificant, then you may continue to the next article. |ret||ret||tab|

If you have some areas in conflict, then take a few more steps.|ret||ret||tab|

Before you reach any conclusions, test your answers in the, Preferred column by visualizing your preferred environment. Then draw a picture of it. |ret||ret||tab|

In 1993 I drew a picture of my preferred work environment. I cant draw but in scratches. Ive shown the drawing to several people as they were sitting in my home office. Everyone has agreed that the resemblance to where I live now is uncanny, even spooky. Yet, I drew the picture five years before I moved here.|ret||ret||tab|

Would I have chosen to live here without drawing the picture? Yes, most likely. But I wouldnt have felt so clear that it was the right decision to make. |ret||ret||tab|

How would you draw a picture of your ideal work environment? Are you clear about the decisions you have been making? |ret||ret||tab|

Now, go back to your answers in the, Current and Preferred environment and consider these questions: |ret||ret||tab|

To what degree is your current environment causing you to desire a different employer or line of work?|ret||ret||tab|

How would you place priority on the environmental factors? |ret||ret||tab|

How do you picture your moods when you imagine working in your preferred work environment?|ret||ret||tab|

Of the factors that are aligned, which do you most want to keep in any environment?|ret||ret||tab|

Of the factors that are aligned, which are you willing to give up to gain more of your preferences?|ret||ret||tab|

Of the factors that are in conflict, how different are they from your current situation?|ret||ret||tab|

Of the factors that are in conflict, how difficult would it be to create your preferred environment with your current employer?|ret||ret||tab|

What is your plan to create a more preferable environment for yourself?|ret||ret||tab|

Most importantly, take charge of your choices; dont allow others to dampen your flame.|ret||ret||tab|

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