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What Your Executive Office Design Says About Your Leadership

August 25, 2022

By Workspace Resource

When was the last time you looked around your office as an executive and thought about how your space makes you feel?

For example, if your desk is messy and disorganized, it might show that you don't care about details or that you need more structure in your life.

On the other hand, if your desk is neat and organized but has no personal touches (like photos or plants), then people might wonder if there's anything about who you are as an individual beyond what they see at work every day.

Executive office design is very important in creating a great office culture. Let's get started.

Executive Office Decor Isn’t Just Decoration

With around 60% of workers heading back to the office post-pandemic, executive office furniture has never been more important. It is a reflection of the executive's personality, the culture at your company, and its values. It can be used to communicate goals as well as set an example for employees to follow.

The design of your executive office and executive office lighting says a lot about you, from how formal or casual you are to what kind of environment you want your team to thrive in.

What Does an Executive’s Office Communicate?

Executive offices are a place where people can be themselves, express their values and show the world who they are. They're also the most visible part of the office, so what your executive office says about you can have a huge impact on how your employees view you as a leader and company culture as a whole.

Here's what employees and business partners see when they look at an executive office.

Firstly, a message about the person who works there. As an employer, one of your biggest responsibilities is setting up your employees for success. You want them to feel comfortable in their work environment and know that you got their backs if anything goes wrong or if they need help with something personal (like family).

Interviewees getting bad vibes for their first impression are likely to sense a bad office culture and decline an offer of employment.

It also shows a message about your company. Is it curated? Designed? Simple? Boring? Do you care more about aesthetics than functionality? These questions help employees understand where they fit into your organization. This affects whether or not people will want to work here next month—and beyond.

How the Office Is Arranged

The way your executive office is arranged can tell you a lot about your leadership style, but it can also show the importance of an executive position. If you have a large and spacious office, then it likely means that the position is very important and highly regarded—at least at your company.

It's important to keep in mind how a room is designed as well as its size when determining where to put someone in an office. A smaller space may not be appropriate if they're the CEO or CFO.

Equally a bigger space might feel too spacious for lower-level employees who don't need as much privacy or personalization in their work environment since they're not working directly with customers or clients every day.

Additionally, some people prefer open desk setups so they can easily talk with their coworkers without having to schedule meetings or walk over each other's desks multiple times during the day (this is especially true if several people are sharing one office).

Others prefer being able to shut themselves off from everyone else by having more control over the physical layout (i.e., filing cabinets vs shelves). Consider these factors when deciding which type of setup would best suit each team member individually—and remember that everyone has different needs!

The Furniture That the Executives Choose

To create an executive office space, executives should choose furniture and accessories that are comfortable and functional. You should choose furniture that is good quality, to make sure it lasts a long time.

You need to choose furniture appropriate for the type of business you are in.

If you work at an accounting firm or law firm and have clients come into your office space, then you probably want to get more professional-looking chairs that reflect your status as an expert in your field — something like leather-look chairs may fit the bill nicely! This might not work as well if you are a laid-back tech startup.

The Artwork on the Walls Can Say a Lot

The artwork on the walls can say a lot about your leadership. As you're considering what pieces of art to hang up, think about what they communicate about you and your company. Is it something that reflects your business? The culture and values of the company?

Your personality? In this day and age, when so many people have access to information online, there's nothing like a physical object to communicate who you are—and how invested in visualizing yourself as someone who cares about craftsmanship and quality, rather than just looking good on social media.

When choosing art for your office walls, consider these questions:

Executive Office Design Sends a Message

It is important to consider the message your executive office design sends. In today's age, your office is a direct reflection of you and your company, so it should be designed accordingly.

Executives who think carefully about their offices send a message to everyone who enters: this person cares deeply about the way they present themselves and their brand.

This year, don't make the mistake of assuming that your office is just something to decorate and forget about.

For more on office furniture and executive office design, be sure to check out the services we offer today.

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