Why workplace change feels harder than it should, and what we often miss about it.

If you’ve ever led change at work, maybe you moved offices, rolled out hybrid working, shifted systems or team structures, you’ve probably run into something unexpected.

Even when the change makes sense…
Even when it’s been well-communicated…
Even when it’s genuinely better than the old way…

It can still feel like pulling teeth to get everyone on board.

There’s resistance. Frustration. That awkward silence in meetings where you thought there’d be momentum. Little signs of disengagement that you can’t quite put your finger on, but you feel them.

And it can leave you wondering: Why is this so hard? Why aren’t they embracing this?

Here’s what I want you to know, something most change strategies completely overlook:

Change isn’t just a checklist or a rollout plan.
It’s a nervous system event.

Even positive change, when it’s smart, strategic, progressive, still creates uncertainty. And our brains? ...

A workplace strategy helps you decide

Just like the classic Clash punk rock anthem from the ‘80s, this question still hits hard — especially when it comes to your workplace! 

The pain of indecision is real, and for many organisations it’s a looming end of a lease that brings them the all-too-familiar dilemma: Should we stay, or should we go?

It’s a decision that feels even more complex when you’ve already poured significant funds into your current office — fit-outs, furniture, technology upgrades, signage and branding. Understandably, the instinct is to stay put and protect the sunk cost. But what if the space no longer serves your people, your operations, or your strategy?

At COMUNiTI we often hear: “We’ve spent so much on this space — wouldn’t investing in a workplace strategy just be wasted if we end up staying?”

The answer is no! 

Here’s why:

A workplace strategy isn’t about the building — it’s about your business

Workplace strategy isn’t just about moving or redesigning of...

There’s a moment in every business lifecycle that offers rare, transformational potential. It usually doesn’t arrive with fanfare.  

In fact, it often shows up in the form of a lease expiry. 

At first glance, it looks logistical — a decision about how much space, the right location, how much is it going to cost, and the style and furniture. But if you pause long enough, you’ll see it’s something far more powerful: a once-in-a-decade opportunity to reset your culture, reconnect with your purpose, and reimagine the way your people work together. 

The workplace isn’t just where work gets done. 
It’s where your values are felt. 
Where leadership is either embodied or eroded. 
Where culture becomes a lived experience — or falls flat against glass partitions. 

The Opportunity Beneath the Surface 

Too often, workplace transitions are treated as operational checklists. A project manager is appointed. A budget is approved. A space is found.  

But what gets missed is the conversation about...

Budget-friendly ideas to start your workplace transformation

First published on COMUNiTI, April 2024

Struggling to figure out how to improve your workspace with limited funds?

I understand the challenge of upgrading existing spaces on a tight budget. In my line of work, I’m often met with this remark: “...but I don’t have a million dollars to redesign the space!” 

Fear not! 

Here are some creative and budget-friendly ideas to kickstart your workplace transformation. 

👀 OPTIMISE THE BASICS

• Never underestimate the power of a good de-clutter and clean! Clear unnecessary items from filing cabinets, shelves and corridors, organise storage spaces and streamline work areas. You’ll be amazed at how much extra space you’ll feel like you’ve gained. Engage employees by turning the cleanup into a team activity or competition.
• Feel like a Meerkat every time you poke your head over a high partition? Consider removing bulky partitions and replacing them with sleek dividers to open up the...