The Power of Sensory Intelligence®: Navigating hybrid working

Hybrid Working and Sensory Intelligence® Explained
The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented changes to the way we work. As organizations worldwide adapted to the challenges posed by the global health crisis, hybrid working emerged as the new norm. This article explores the concept of Sensory Intelligence® and its relevance in the context of hybrid working. Business leaders play a vital role in understanding and leveraging Sensory Intelligence® to create productive and inclusive work environments that cater to the diverse needs of their employees.

Understanding Sensory Intelligence®
Sensory Intelligence® refers to an individual’s awareness of their work environment, including the stimuli present and how their brain responds to these stimuli. Each person has a unique genetic code and sensory wiring, which influences their sensitivity to environmental factors. These daily sensory processing patterns affect attention, emotion, and behaviour, all of which contribute to workplace productivity and efficiency.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Sensory Intelligence®
The COVID-19 pandemic provided an opportunity to observe the impact of Sensory Intelligence® on remote work. Research conducted during the pandemic revealed that approximately 30% of individuals are more sensitive to environmental stimuli, while another 30% are relatively oblivious to such stimuli. The former group experienced increased productivity, comfort, and happiness while working from home, as they could control their environment and eliminate distractions. On the other hand, the latter group struggled with isolation, feeling lonely and deprived of social interaction. Their ideal work environment is one filled with activity, variety, and collaboration, such as a bustling office space.

The Need for Hybrid Working
The pandemic highlighted that what works for one individual may not be suitable for another. While remote work proved effective for some, others found it challenging. The solution lies in adopting a hybrid approach that combines the best aspects of traditional office-based work with the flexibility of remote work. For the 40% of individuals who can adapt to various work environments, accommodating their preferences for optimal productivity is relatively straightforward.

The Benefits of Hybrid Working
Hybrid working offers several advantages. First, it acknowledges that humans have different needs and preferences, enabling organisations to create tailored work environments that enhance productivity and employee satisfaction. By implementing a hybrid model, organizations can become employers of choice, attracting and retaining top talent. Additionally, the adoption of hybrid working can lead to cost savings through reduced office space requirements.

Guidelines for Successful Hybrid Working
To make hybrid working successful, business leaders and managers should consider the following guidelines:
Embrace Individual Differences: Assess employees to determine their best-fit work environment, whether it be remote, in-office, or a combination. Accommodating individual preferences not only boosts productivity but also promotes employee happiness and retention.

  • Implement a Scheduling System: Establish a scheduling system that ensures fair access to office space while maximizing efficiency. This may involve additional administrative efforts but can result in cost savings through rental office space.
  • Foster Face-to-Face Engagement: Face-to-face engagement is essential for boosting morale, ensuring healthy communication and promoting teamwork. Those in leadership positions should recognize that sensory avoiders may require less contact, while sensory seekers may benefit from more interaction.
  • Support Remote Workers: While remote work is encouraged, leaders must acknowledge that not everyone has an ideal home working space. Provide guidance and support for employees in setting up effective home workspaces. If necessary, consider flexible working options and create focused and quiet spaces within shared office workspaces.
  • Focus on Output, Not Hours: Shift the focus from monitoring hours worked to measuring output and productivity. Implement systems that track and document the results employees produce, regardless of where or when they work.

Key Takeaways
The era of hybrid working requires managers to understand and leverage Sensory Intelligence® to create productive and inclusive work environments. By embracing individual differences, implementing effective scheduling systems, fostering face-to-face engagement, supporting remote workers, and focusing on output rather than hours worked, leaders and managers can navigate the challenges of hybrid working successfully. Organizations that embrace a flexible hybrid culture, acknowledge individuality, and lead accordingly will be the success stories of the future.
The power of Sensory Intelligence® lies in its ability to recognize and cater to the diverse needs of employees. By understanding how individuals respond to their work environment, leaders can create an environment that maximizes employee productivity and promotes employee well-being. Hybrid working offers the flexibility to accommodate different sensory styles, allowing employees to thrive in their preferred work settings.
It is crucial to champion the benefits of hybrid working and advocate for its adoption within organizations. By harnessing the power of Sensory Intelligence®, organizations can retain top talent, boost productivity, and create a positive work culture.

By embracing the concept of Sensory Intelligence® and implementing the guidelines outlined in this article, organisations can begin to navigate the complexities of hybrid working and create a productive and inclusive work environment. The future belongs to organisations that prioritize individuality, leverage Sensory Intelligence®, and embrace the benefits of hybrid working.

To discover how Sensory Intelligence® can transform your hybrid working strategy so that your employees are set up to succeed contact us.
Watch this to learn more about how Sensory Intelligence® tackles the idea of hybrid working.

My love-hate relationship with online working

In April 2019, I made a calculated leap of faith: I sold my pediatric Occupational Therapy practice at a school and ventured into the world of online work. The excitement of starting my morning routine in a home office was overwhelming. Being able to control my home environment was one of the deciding factors for this leap into the unknown. I painted my office walls in a soft neutral colour. A plant found it’s way onto my desk. On garden service days, I closed my office door and played calming music through headphones (don’t you just love the sound of a weedeater…). A jar of hand cream was placed within arm’s reach, mostly to be used when craving the lovely vanilla-smell filling the room when removing the lid. On cold winter days,  a heated foot mat kept me warm. Life was blissful and I felt so blessed to have changed my work life to fit my sensory needs.

As a sensory avoider with low sensory thresholds, I cope best with LESS sensory input. If an environment gets too busy and loud, my productivity levels drop and I then have to exert a lot of extra mental effort to maintain a high level of work. In a quieter, calmer, more relaxed environment, I thrive and feel healthier and happier. I love working alone in my own space… not that I’m a recluse (I hope not), it just fits my sensory style best. (If you’d like to discover your sensory style, complete your Sensory Matrix™ online)

What I did not bring into account when leaping into my new work adventure, was that I’ll be joining the digital world of online work consisting of a massive population. According to Internet World Stats, there were 4,833,521,806 global internet users on 30 June 2020. So much for solitary work! Within my little 13-inch laptop screen, I was connected to a whole new community. Exciting, yet overwhelming at times.

During the past 16 months, online working and I have gone through quite a few ups and downs, adding to my love-hate relationship with the digital world. I’d like to highlight some, it might just resonate with you if you’re also part of the online work community:

      An “off” button to switch everything off -vs- Nowhere to hide when you’re online

                                                   No need to travel for work -vs- A complete lack of movement while working     

Customization of your desktop display and icons -vs- A quick buildup of clutter on your desktop

                    The ability to stand up and walk away for a break -vs- The guilt of standing up and walking away from work

                                                        Flexible working hours -vs- Working longer hours due to a lack of routine

No time wasted making small talk with colleagues -vs- Missing small talk with colleagues

Control noise levels easier -vs- Eyes and ears are fixed on your small (but busy) digital world throughout the day

 

The list of pros and cons is endless and will vary for each person. However, digital work is here to stay. I realized it will be most beneficial to wrap my head around my digital environment and make the best of it. Some of the strategies I’ve implemented (and do my best to follow…) are:

  • Take short movement breaks. Your body and brain need it. 
  • Move my gaze away from my screen at times, to avoid “computer vision syndrome“.
  • I have raised my laptop and am using an external/additional keyboard to avoid a poor sitting posture.

There are lots more easy-to-implement strategies that we use as a virtual team at Sensory Intelligence® Consulting. Since your wellbeing matters to us, we’ve been sharing knowledge and ideas by means of our online workshops. To discover more simple, yet neuroscientific tools, follow the link to Digital wellness through the 7 senses. 

Take back control and be the master of your digital universe!

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