Where You Sit Can Make You More Productive

June 09, 2017

Where You Sit Can Make You More Productive

To increase worker performance, employers invest in a number of things, from rewards and incentives to education and training. But there is a surprisingly simple way to increase productivity, one that is low-cost and has immediate effect: better office seating arrangements. Recent research suggests that whom you sit next to affects how you perform and can improve productivity and work quality. So if you tend to focus on quality (you produce superior work but do so slowly), try to sit next to someone who completes tasks quickly. The two of you will probably influence each other: You’ll try to match the speed of your coworker, and they’ll attempt to improve their work’s quality.

Adapted from “Want to Be More Productive? Sit Next to Someone Who Is,” by Jason Corsello and Dylan Minor