Company Missions & The Psychology of Space

The built environment is full of symbolism and holds a history of memories and accomplishments for cities, businesses and people. Spaces also have an impact on the psychology of how we interact with them. In the world of business we know that businesses aspire to create spaces that improve brand confidence and in turn increases sales. But space goals, either office space or commercial space, also help to drive company missions at different points in a business' journey.

In Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 Jim Collins and Bill Lazier share how new company offices send a signal to the world and employees alike: "We've arrived. We're successful. We've made it." However, they warn that sometimes new office spaces can trigger companies to not work as hard, they aren't as hungry to achieve success because they've already achieved success.

They advise that as companies and organizations grow and expand their real estate footprint they should also work towards developing a compelling new mission for the next phase in their business journey so that a culture of complacency doesn't set in.

They aren't implying that we shouldn't have nice places to work, they are simply saying that company leaders should not ignore the symbolism that comes with moving into a building in a certain part of town, "a beautiful new edifice symbolizes having crossed a threshold, having "made it," having completed a mission."

Their advice is simple in concept and thought provoking in practice: "When you reach the top of a mountain peak, begin looking for the next one. Set a new mission. If you sit there, you'll get cold and die."