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The Elemental Workplace: How to create a fantastic workplace for everyone
You may well be reading this at work. Look around you I am sure you will agree your workplace could be significantly better. Do you tolerate a mediocre, uninspiring and dysfunctional environment, because that s the way it s always been? It doesn t have to be. Everyone deserves a fantastic workplace a positive environment in which to live, learn, grow, share and contribute. Yet it need not be difficult to create if you follow this simple and intuitive framework. An Elemental Workplace is a standard that everyone can attain, not an elite pipedream for the privileged few. This book is intended for all, whether managing a property portfolio or a project, managing people, owning or running a business, or just taking an interest in the workplace to which they are treated, or subject and want to get something done about it. Free of corporate bullsh*t, buzzwords and excuses for inaction, it offers a practical and accessible approach that will stand the test of time. It is sharp, funny, and gets to the point... your workplace can be fantastic.
229 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
March 28, 2022
Several months ago, I stumbled on a blog post published by Neil Usher called The Friday Club. I clearly remember that it was exactly what I needed back on that day. A decent work-related article that was not too serious for a change! Caught in a black hole of endless information on The Great Resignation and the new post-pandemic hybrid workplaces, The Friday Club made me giggle at every sentence and recall some of those past traditional office days with nostalgia.
But it was not only an article it inspired; it was a whole new idea. Well, everyone who knows me knows what a bookworm I am. So, I thought, why not bring together my two loves of writing and reading and use my passion for healthy work environments as a reference point to create a digital corner for work-related book reviews? Needless to say, Neil Usher's Elemental Workplace had to be on the top of my to-read list as he was the unintentional inspiration behind all this.
Then, of course, life happened, as it always does. And this project was left as a yellow-highlighted sentence in the brainstorming section of my notebook. However, it was far from forgotten, which was exactly why I knew I had to do it. And so I did. Never too late to start something new, right? Do what you preach, sister!
Back to my first work-related book review, then. The elemental workplace is not a book to read; it's a book to study. It will get you back to those good old university days when you had to come up with practical ways to maintain a strong focus and not miss that one super essential sentence that will make the whole chapter make sense and your brain able to absorb knowledge on a deeper level. But with a bonus, if I may add, which is nothing else than the author's sharp humour and apt sarcasm, given in proper doses every now and then.
Neil Usher made no effort to write in an appealing simplified way, and he is pretty self-conscious about that choice. There was no intention from his side to offer some easily-digestible content. While there is an undeniable structure in the book (there is a specific number of elements presented after all), the reader will soon notice that each topic is unfolding in a more free-style way of writing, often resembling an essay-like recording of a sequence of brainstorming thoughts.
However, I was only a few chapters in when I had the epiphany of "oh, I can see what you are doing here!". Once I got his writing style, I knew exactly how to make the most of it. I got a notebook, a highlighter, and a pen—the good old-fashioned way that never fails.
I deconstructed all the information. I went back and forth when necessary. I made lists and used arrows. I kept notes within parentheses. Do you know what I had by the end of the book? I had a solid step-by-step, all-inclusive guide to creating a fantastic workplace. One that is remarkably flexible and can accommodate the needs of all types of companies.
Neil Usher is not leaving a stone unturned. He investigates the potential of creating an ideal work environment from all possible perspectives. He genuinely believes a fantastic workplace can exist. All necessary tools are provided. You keep what you need, disregard what you already have, and often come back to check what boxes are still checked and which ones need to be re-evaluated. As often mentioned in the book, a fantastic workplace is a never-ending process, so don't get too comfortable.
"Workspace itself is a journey, not a product. As Robert Propst said in his work The Office: A Facility Based on Change: “We must be allowed to change our minds. We must be allowed to respond to errors as they emerge.” We are not attempting to create a perfection that we can stand back and admire. To refer to Parkinson’s Law once again, “Perfection, we know, is finality; and finality is death.”
Neil Usher, The Elemental Workplace
Essentially, what makes Elemental Workplace an excellent source of information is how the writer decided to write this book. It was not an easy read. There were paragraphs I had to read twice. There were pages I had to come back to. The readers have to do the work to get the whole picture and get the best of it. But let me tell you something: if you care to create a healthy, positive and sustainable working environment, you need to go that extra mile. This book is worth the effort.
But it was not only an article it inspired; it was a whole new idea. Well, everyone who knows me knows what a bookworm I am. So, I thought, why not bring together my two loves of writing and reading and use my passion for healthy work environments as a reference point to create a digital corner for work-related book reviews? Needless to say, Neil Usher's Elemental Workplace had to be on the top of my to-read list as he was the unintentional inspiration behind all this.
Then, of course, life happened, as it always does. And this project was left as a yellow-highlighted sentence in the brainstorming section of my notebook. However, it was far from forgotten, which was exactly why I knew I had to do it. And so I did. Never too late to start something new, right? Do what you preach, sister!
Back to my first work-related book review, then. The elemental workplace is not a book to read; it's a book to study. It will get you back to those good old university days when you had to come up with practical ways to maintain a strong focus and not miss that one super essential sentence that will make the whole chapter make sense and your brain able to absorb knowledge on a deeper level. But with a bonus, if I may add, which is nothing else than the author's sharp humour and apt sarcasm, given in proper doses every now and then.
Neil Usher made no effort to write in an appealing simplified way, and he is pretty self-conscious about that choice. There was no intention from his side to offer some easily-digestible content. While there is an undeniable structure in the book (there is a specific number of elements presented after all), the reader will soon notice that each topic is unfolding in a more free-style way of writing, often resembling an essay-like recording of a sequence of brainstorming thoughts.
However, I was only a few chapters in when I had the epiphany of "oh, I can see what you are doing here!". Once I got his writing style, I knew exactly how to make the most of it. I got a notebook, a highlighter, and a pen—the good old-fashioned way that never fails.
I deconstructed all the information. I went back and forth when necessary. I made lists and used arrows. I kept notes within parentheses. Do you know what I had by the end of the book? I had a solid step-by-step, all-inclusive guide to creating a fantastic workplace. One that is remarkably flexible and can accommodate the needs of all types of companies.
Neil Usher is not leaving a stone unturned. He investigates the potential of creating an ideal work environment from all possible perspectives. He genuinely believes a fantastic workplace can exist. All necessary tools are provided. You keep what you need, disregard what you already have, and often come back to check what boxes are still checked and which ones need to be re-evaluated. As often mentioned in the book, a fantastic workplace is a never-ending process, so don't get too comfortable.
"Workspace itself is a journey, not a product. As Robert Propst said in his work The Office: A Facility Based on Change: “We must be allowed to change our minds. We must be allowed to respond to errors as they emerge.” We are not attempting to create a perfection that we can stand back and admire. To refer to Parkinson’s Law once again, “Perfection, we know, is finality; and finality is death.”
Neil Usher, The Elemental Workplace
Essentially, what makes Elemental Workplace an excellent source of information is how the writer decided to write this book. It was not an easy read. There were paragraphs I had to read twice. There were pages I had to come back to. The readers have to do the work to get the whole picture and get the best of it. But let me tell you something: if you care to create a healthy, positive and sustainable working environment, you need to go that extra mile. This book is worth the effort.
August 19, 2018
I picked up this book because I was being paid by a client to write in-depth book reviews and I needed to read the book to be able to do that. Still, it’s the kind of book that I like reading from time to time, and I thought that Usher had a lot to say on the subject of how we arrange our workplaces. I’m a big fan of efficiency, and so it pleased me to see Usher addressing that.
At the same time, though, I don’t really need to worry too much about my workplace because I work from home. True, there are a few concepts that I’m going to take from this and apply to my house, and there’s still more that I’d do if I had space to have an actual office in the place.
All in all, I think this is a pretty good book if you want to improve your workplace, and while it isn’t exactly revolutionary, it is interesting. I also liked the way that Usher sprinkled in stories and statistics here and there to help to make the book more interesting. You can tell that he’s also a performance poet.
At the same time, though, I don’t really need to worry too much about my workplace because I work from home. True, there are a few concepts that I’m going to take from this and apply to my house, and there’s still more that I’d do if I had space to have an actual office in the place.
All in all, I think this is a pretty good book if you want to improve your workplace, and while it isn’t exactly revolutionary, it is interesting. I also liked the way that Usher sprinkled in stories and statistics here and there to help to make the book more interesting. You can tell that he’s also a performance poet.
August 22, 2018
Fascinating book!
If you happen to be opening your business for the first time or you are remodeling your company's office design, you must read this book first. As an office worker, I was so fascinated by this book and it made me really think about my own work space at work and the impact it has on me. For anyone with the ability to make changes to office design and layout, this is the book for you. It's a no holds barred examination into how to really make the standard office space work for you and your company. It's doesn't use fancy architect jargon, it goes through key elements that are important to the modern office. This is a must read and truly an interesting one.
If you happen to be opening your business for the first time or you are remodeling your company's office design, you must read this book first. As an office worker, I was so fascinated by this book and it made me really think about my own work space at work and the impact it has on me. For anyone with the ability to make changes to office design and layout, this is the book for you. It's a no holds barred examination into how to really make the standard office space work for you and your company. It's doesn't use fancy architect jargon, it goes through key elements that are important to the modern office. This is a must read and truly an interesting one.
May 18, 2018
I'm not in the workplace or real estate business but I found the book fascinating. It's witty and thought provoking. What does it mean to have a fantastic place to work and why is that important? Usher has some great insight into change management as well. If you are even tangentially related to the design and implementation of corporate workspace or are in a position to influence it - I highly recommend the book.
September 8, 2018
Simply the best book ever written for any manager thinking about how to improve their workplace. Pure common sense in ordinary language based on years of experience. Neil describes the key elements you can build into any workplace, large or small, if you want to make a difference to the success of your organisation. And they will cost you hardly anything!
March 10, 2019
Good read for workplace professionals
This book does a great job of highlighting the elements that do, and don't, create a successful productive workplace. Would recommend for anyone working to build Workplaces.
This book does a great job of highlighting the elements that do, and don't, create a successful productive workplace. Would recommend for anyone working to build Workplaces.
January 21, 2021
A wonderfully simple look at the raw material that makes for a great workpalce. Don't need to be a workplace professional to make sense of this. Very democratically written.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews