Surrounding oneself with people while working can boost productivity, according to a study from the University of Chicago. The study found that the mere presence of others can improve a person’s performance on tasks, even if they are not collaborating or competing. This is due to the ‘social facilitation’ effect, where humans perform tasks better when in the company of others. However, this effect only applies to ‘well-learned’ or routine tasks, and not to tasks requiring new learning or creativity.
The study also revealed that people are more productive when they are in the same physical location as others, rather than being connected digitally. This suggests that co-working spaces, where employees from different companies share an office, can offer significant productivity benefits.
On the other hand, the study warns that too much social stimulation can lead to ‘social loafing’, where people work less hard when they are part of a group. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between solitary and group work.
The study’s findings could have implications for the design of workplaces, suggesting that open-plan offices may not be the productivity killers they are often thought to be. They could also impact the increasing trend towards remote and flexible working, indicating that physical co-presence may still have a role to play in the modern workplace.
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