[Template] Build-A-Workplace: How To Build Your Ideal Workplace

The bear is a non-frightening symbol that is meant to represent your workplace. I’ve labeled the bear’s body and parts to match common things you’ll find in every workplace, such as:

• Your Manager (eyes + ears): Traditionally, your manager is aware of what’s happening within the team and company before you are. Therefore, they serve as your eyes and ears, and are often referred to as the ‘captain of the ship.’ Having a great manager is crucial because they are the ones steering the team’s boat, and if they are unaware of what’s happening, everyone on the team is bound to sink.
  
• Your Colleagues (arms + legs): Even if you are an individual contributor or someone who works alone, you will find that eventually, you’ll need to rely on your colleagues for support (hence why I’ve made them the arms and legs). Having great colleagues can make the work feel effortless and enjoyable as well.
  
• Your Work Culture/Environment (body + heart): It doesn’t take long for you to figure out whether or not the vibe is off in a company. This is because the work culture and environment are the spirit and pulse of the organization. Although the people you work most closely with will have a significant effect on your experience, being part of an organization that is known for supporting and encouraging its employees will also make the overall environment feel welcoming. Also, the reason I’ve chosen the heart and body as the label for this category is because work environments, both negative and positive, can seriously impact your mental and physical well-being. That’s why it’s so important to choose wisely!

In my example, I took the time to sit down and reflect on what I truly wanted out of my next work environment. As someone who’s worked in both large and small companies, I’ve started to understand how I work best. I also leaned on personality and career quizzes to help me identify which spaces I’d thrive in the most!

From a colleague’s perspective, I value teammates I can turn to for help when I get into sticky situations or need to brainstorm ideas. That’s why I’ve chosen words like reliable, approachable, and team-oriented to describe them.

From a manager’s perspective, I value leaders who know what is going on and have a clear direction. They comprehend the purpose behind our work, can effectively articulate their vision for assisting the entire team in achieving broader objectives, and offer support when needed. It was hard for me to choose only three, but words like collaborative, strategic, and trustworthy stood out to me the most.

Last but certainly not least, is the work culture category. I’ve been in some open and welcoming work environments, but I’ve also been in some cut-throat and chaotic environments. Because of this, I try to be extremely intentional about the spaces that I enter. Whenever possible I try to “suss out” the environment and find red flags, so that I can avoid any chaotic vibes. Through my experience, I’ve learned that I enjoy and work best in autonomous, innovative, and supportive environments.