Behavioural science
Ever wonder why your team members seem to have a sixth sense for when it’s time to take a coffee break? Or why everyone suddenly agrees with the boss, even when they know deep down that "Office Karaoke Thursdays" might not be the best idea?
Welcome to behavioural science in the workplace! It’s like the user manual for understanding office dynamics, but with fewer boring instructions and more "Aha!" moments.
So..what’s all this BS about?
The Basics, Without the Corporate Speak
Behavioural science in the workplace is all about understanding why we act the way we do at work. A Sherlock Holmes for office behaviour, minus the fancy hat and accent.
It's the study of how employees think, feel, and behave, and it helps us decode everything from why meetings can feel like time-warp zones to why no one ever wants to take the last donut.
Nope….still not sure what it’s all about?
How about some examples to help get your head around the BS!
The Mystery of the Meeting Room
Have you noticed how people nod along in meetings, even if they disagree? That's groupthink, closely tied to the conformity bias.
It’s when everyone wants to keep the peace and avoid conflict, so they go along with the loudest voice (often the boss) instead of sharing their real thoughts.
It’s like the office version of "The Emperor’s New Clothes," but with less awkward nudity.
The Case of the Compulsive Email Checker
Ever find yourself compulsively checking your email every five minutes? That’s thanks to variable reward schedules, which exploit the availability bias.
This bias makes us overestimate the importance of things we can easily recall—like the rare but crucial email—making us check our inbox obsessively. It’s the same reason slot machines are so addictive. Sometimes you get an important email (jackpot!), and sometimes you get spam. The unpredictability keeps you coming back for more, like a digital pavlovian dog.
The Saga of the Open Plan Office
Remember when your company switched to an open office layout, and suddenly everyone became a master of the "I’m totally focused" face?
This situation involves social facilitation and distraction, linked to the observer effect. Knowing that others can see us often boosts productivity because no one wants to look like a slacker.
But it also leads to distraction when Janet from accounting is loudly discussing her cat's dietary needs. It’s a double-edged sword, much like the endless supply of coffee.