Engaging in Beautiful Work

If you’re stuck, looking to energize what you do, or reclaim the purpose of your organization or yourself, look to beauty to help you out.

Organizational aesthetics is a domain of practice that fuses workplace design, organizational psychology, and strategy. The focus is on beautiful work and, by extension, the health, well-being, and performance of those doing the work.

Beauty is something self-defined. It has aesthetic qualities to it, but those are not universal. If you find work beautiful, it is. It often includes visual aesthetics but is also a matter of taste. That’s the remarkable thing about beauty in the workplace: it’s what we make it.

What is Beautiful Work?

An organization that engages in beautiful work is one that values and prioritizes the following qualities:

1. Purpose: An organization that engages in beautiful work has a clear sense of purpose and mission that is aligned with its values and goals. The organization is committed to making a positive impact on the world and is dedicated to creating work that is meaningful and fulfilling.
2. Creativity: An organization that engages in beautiful work encourages creativity and innovation. It values new ideas and approaches and is willing to take risks to achieve its goals.
3. Collaboration: An organization that engages in beautiful work promotes collaboration and teamwork. It values diversity and inclusivity and encourages individuals to bring their unique perspectives and experiences to the work and workplace.
4. Excellence: An organization that engages in beautiful work strives for excellence in all that it does. It is committed to producing work that is of the highest quality and is always looking for ways to improve and innovate.
5. Authenticity: An organization that engages in beautiful work is authentic and transparent. It values honesty and integrity and is committed to building trust with its stakeholders.
6. Empathy: An organization that engages in beautiful work is empathetic and compassionate. It values the well-being and dignity of all individuals and is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace culture.
7. Sustainability: An organization that engages in beautiful work is committed to sustainability and responsible business practices. It values the environment and is committed to positively impacting the world and holds a clear sense of purpose and ethics.

Overall, an organization that engages in beautiful work values purpose, creativity, collaboration, excellence, authenticity, empathy, and sustainability. It creates a workplace culture that is supportive, inclusive, and committed to positively impacting the world.

Benefits

Engaging in beautiful work can have numerous organizational benefits, including:

1. Increased Employee Engagement: Beautiful work can inspire and motivate employees, increasing job satisfaction, commitment, and productivity. When employees feel that their work is meaningful and fulfilling, they are likelier to be engaged and invested in it.
2. Improved Brand Reputation: Organizations that engage in beautiful work are often viewed as ethical, responsible, and socially conscious. This can improve their brand reputation and help attract and retain customers who value these qualities.
3. Increased Innovation: Beautiful work often involves creativity, risk-taking, and innovation. Organizations that engage in beautiful work are more likely to develop new ideas and approaches, leading to increased innovation and competitive advantage.
4. Improved Financial Performance: Organizations that engage in beautiful work may experience improved financial performance due to increased employee engagement, customer loyalty, and innovation. Beautiful work can also help organizations attract and retain top talent, reducing turnover costs and improving productivity.
5. Enhanced Workplace Culture: Organizations that engage in beautiful work often create a supportive and inclusive workplace culture that values diversity, authenticity, and empathy. This can improve employee morale, reduce conflicts, and create a positive work environment.
6. Social Impact: Beautiful work often involves positively impacting the world. Organizations that engage in beautiful work can contribute to the greater good, creating social impact and benefiting the wider community.

Overall, engaging in beautiful work can lead to a range of organizational benefits, including increased employee engagement, improved brand reputation, increased innovation, improved financial performance, enhanced workplace culture, and social impact. By valuing purpose, creativity, collaboration, authenticity, empathy, and sustainability, organizations can create a culture of beautiful work that benefits both employees and society as a whole.

Key Resources:

Organizational Aesthetics (Journal)

Petrovski, D. Organizational Aesthetics and Creative Outputs. Acad Management Proc 2020, 14531 (2020).

Norman, C. D. A Beautiful Journey Through The Familiar Unfamiliar | Organizational Aesthetics. https://oa.journals.publicknowledgeproject.org/index.php/oa/article/view/249.

If you want to create a beautiful workplace and workforce, let’s grab a (virtual) coffee and talk about how we can help you do it.

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