Workplace Geeks
Workplace Geeks is the podcast on a mission to celebrate the most innovative workplace research in the world. Hosted by Chris Moriarty and Ian Ellison, each episode explores fascinating work with the authors themselves, capturing practical learning and business impacts. Join the Workplace Geeks to bridge the gap between academia and business as we explore the diverse elements that can affect workplace experience, employee value and business performance.
Workplace Geeks
Who's responsible for the cubicle? | with Mark Catchlove
Following a cracking chat with MillerKnoll's Ryan Anderson in the last episode, this time the Geeks sit down with Mark Catchlove, genuine workplace gentleman and Director of Insight at MillerKnoll, for a fascinating dive into the work and legacy of Robert Propst — Herman Miller’s pioneering Director of Research during the 1960s.
Design polymath Propst’s seminal 1968 book, The office: A facility based on change, was ahead of its time. Designed as a field manual for workplace change, it tackled everything from change, human-centered design, visual display, privacy and involvement, conversation and interaction, health and movement, the role of technology, and leadership culture. And all in a surprisingly slim volume.
In this educational chat Chris, Ian and Mark explore:
- How Propst became Director of Research for Herman Miller
- Mark's involvement in bringing Propst's legacy back to life
- Why The Office is still essential reading for anyone shaping workplace experience
- What today’s workplace strategists can learn from Propst’s provocations
- What a gorilla has to do with expression and personalisation
- Whether it's fair to call Propst 'the inventor of the cubicle' or not...
And to top it off, Dr Dan Wakelin from Isovist is back with Ian on reflection section duties. Yay!
Want to read it for yourself? The office isn't available digitally, and physical copies are increasingly hard to find. Good job that we have three free copies available for you lucky listeners, courtesy of MillerKnoll.
YES! What do I have to do to get one? Leave us a review on Apple Podcasts. Go to the Workplace Geeks page on the iPhone or the desktop app, then scroll down to rate AND review the show. Lemon squeezy.
Winners will be selected and announced in a future episode.
🎧 Dialogue editing by David Crackles
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Workplace Geeks is sponsored by 2468 Group ☕️
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