Creative Spaces For Innovation

Are we losing the "in-between" spaces that make work work? A recent conversation with Dr. Richard Claydon got me thinking about the erosion of liminal spaces and its impact on organisations and the people in them. Liminal spaces—those "in-between" moments on coffee breaks, in hallways, or during casual conversations—have long been essential for more than just productivity and innovation. These pauses help us recharge, build genuine relationships, and make sense of what's happening around us. They provide time for informal check-ins and spontaneous chats that allow us to feel connected to our colleagues, more in sync with our teams, and more engaged in our work. But with today's focus on productivity and optimisation, are we unknowingly erasing these invaluable "in-between" moments? Modern working practices often prioritise efficiency above all else, which can feel amplified in remote settings. Packed schedules result in meetings beginning and ending abruptly on Zoom or Teams, leaving fewer opportunities to linger, chat, or unpack the day's issues and insights before moving to the next task. Without these open, unstructured moments, it's easy for work to feel transactional—a series of tasks rather than a place where we're part of something bigger, something meaningful. And is this loss of connection contributing to the growing toll on our wellbeing, leading to burnout, disengagement, and a sense of disconnection from our teams and organisations? Don't worry; this is not about returning to the way things were—this is not a call for a return to the office. Rather, I find myself wondering if we should be seeking new ways to recreate liminal spaces - whether through unstructured time, casual check-ins, or simply encouraging people to pause and spend time together without agenda. These spaces seem to me to be essential for a thriving, connected workplace, and I can't help feeling that we're losing them. #leadership #relationships #culture #engagement #WFH

Culture does not live in policy documents or formal meetings. It lives in informal spaces like kitchens, corridor chats and offhand comments. This video explores how informal conversations quietly set the tone for RAP and influence whether people engage or disengage. What people say casually shapes what others believe is acceptable. When sarcasm, dismissal or silence go unchecked, trust erodes and disengagement grows. Leaders often underestimate the impact of these moments, but they are where culture is reinforced every day. I unpack how leaders can use informal interactions to model curiosity, respect and accountability. Small moments matter. A quick response, a thoughtful question or a respectful correction can shift the tone far more than a formal announcement. Every informal interaction is an opportunity to build or break trust. This video is for leaders who want to understand how culture is shaped between the meetings and how small conversations can drive meaningful, lasting change.

☕ The Coffee cue You can learn more about your company culture by watching where people gather for coffee than by reading your vision statement. And no, this isn’t just about coffee. It’s about the micro-signals of culture—where people feel safe, connected, and heard. If the coffee machine is buzzing with chatter, collaboration is alive. If its silent, people are disengaged, or worse, afraid. The coffee cue is the simplest culture diagnostic tool leaders never use. Skeptical? Good. If this sounds like caffeine-fueled philosophy, relax, I’ve got research to back it up. 🍵 Why coffee (sorry, tea lovers) reveals culture • Unscripted truth: People speak more honestly over coffee than in all-hands meetings. MIT’s Human Dynamics Lab found that informal “watercooler” interactions accounted for over 50% of positive changes in communication patterns inside teams. • Connection zones: Where people choose to gather shows where trust flows. If nobody lingers, that’s a signal too. • Pulse checks: The coffee cue is real-time feedback. It tells you how people feel today, not just what they typed in a quarterly survey. 📊 The research behind the cue • Gallup reports that employees who feel connected informally are 3x more engaged than those who only interact in structured settings. • Deloitte found that companies fostering casual connections see 23% higher innovation output. • HBR notes that “collision spaces” like coffee corners directly boost collaboration, creativity, and employee trust. 😂 Espresso shots of truth • If people grab coffee and sprint back to their desks, your culture isn’t caffeinated; it’s dehydrated. • If there’s a second, unofficial coffee machine hidden in another department, congratulations, you’ve got a shadow culture. • If gossip travels faster than espresso, the coffee cue is screaming at you. Culture doesn’t just live in the boardroom. It lives in the hallway, the coffee break, the casual chat. Leaders who ignore the coffee cue miss the heartbeat of their organization. Because again, it’s not really about coffee, it’s about the spaces where truth shows up. The question isn’t: What’s in your vision statement? The question is: What’s brewing by the coffee machine? #Leadership #Culture #Trust #AuthenticLeadership #EmployeeEngagement #Management #OrganizationalBehavior #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkplaceCulture #ExecutivePresence #Business

NYC is experiencing yet another heat wave. The sky is orange again from wildfire smoke. All in all, not a great time to be outside. The city has activated hundreds of emergency cooling centers, but many gaps remain, exposing how critical and overlooked year-round indoor public spaces truly are. Last year, I shared about my project to add the city’s POPS to Google Maps. As part of that, I created a public Google Maps list of over 400 free indoor public spaces across NYC, since Google lacks a dedicated category for them. In Manhattan, beyond officially designated POPS, the list includes libraries, churches, hotel lobbies, food courts, government buildings, and nonprofit spaces open to the public. In the outer boroughs, the options are mostly limited to just churches and libraries. It's important to note that many of these privately-owned spaces tend towards exclusion if you're not their preferred clientele. As traditional "third places" disappear, these climate-controlled spaces serve as essential social infrastructure whenever spending time outside is difficult or hazardous. They're refuges for workers on lunch breaks, meeting spaces for community groups, shelter for unhoused individuals, and gathering spots for anyone who wants to leave home without buying a $6 coffee. Putting POPS on the map: https://lnkd.in/gTGwa7rd Indoor public spaces list: https://lnkd.in/gee7337c

Why are so many offices still making the first five minutes feel like the least important part of the experience? You know the area … formal lobby, empty waiting chairs, oversized reception desk, a space designed to look impressive for five minutes but sit underutilized the other eight hours of the day. That model doesn’t make much sense anymore. Real estate is expensive. Space is limited. And every square foot should earn its keep. The smartest workplaces are rethinking the front-of-house entirely. We’re seeing the rise of hospitality-infused workplaces where reception is no longer just a check-in point, it becomes a living part of the employee and guest experience. Why now? The trends are pointing in the same direction. Gensler continues to emphasize that employees now expect offices to deliver engagement, experience, and real reasons to come in, not just rows of desks. Modern workplace reports also show growing demand for spaces built around specific use cases: collaboration zones, breakout areas, huddle rooms, hospitality spaces, and social connection. One build I led combined all of this into a single multifunctional hub: ☕ Reception + coffee barista experience 🤝 Interview rooms steps away from the energy 💻 Flexible seating for employees who work best with café buzz and movement 🎤 Community space for town halls, launches, happy hours, wellness sessions, or team gatherings Why it worked: - Candidates no longer sat in a silent waiting room staring at walls. They grabbed a coffee, felt the company’s energy, and immediately got a sense of culture. - Guests felt welcomed like visitors to a hospitality space and not processed through airport security. - Employees used the area throughout the day for informal meetings, solo work, coffee chats, or a change of scenery from their desk. - Recruiters loved it because interviews started warmer and more naturally. - Leaders loved it because the same footprint could host all-hands overflow, celebrations, or client moments. Instead of one static lobby used occasionally, the company gained a high-performing social hub used all day long. The best workplaces today aren’t asking, “How should reception look?” They’re asking, “How should people feel when they arrive?” If you’re rethinking your office this year, start there. How is your company using reception space today? #WorkplaceExperience #OfficeDesign #EmployeeExperience #HospitalityDesign #WorkplaceStrategy

The most productive meetings happen outside the conference room. As project managers, we often focus on scheduled meetings: → Status updates → Sprint reviews → Stakeholder check-ins However, some of the most impactful moments happen outside these formal settings. The spontaneous conversations in the hallway, the quick chats at lunch, and the casual talks around the coffee pot often make the biggest difference. Here's why: 1/ Building Relationships: → Informal moments create opportunities to connect with your team personally, beyond the agenda. → Trust is built over time, and these casual exchanges are a great way to strengthen that bond. → When relationships are solid, collaboration becomes easier and more natural. 2/ Gathering Insights: → People are often more candid outside formal meetings, sharing ideas they might hesitate to bring up in front of a group. → Informal conversations often spark creative solutions that structured meetings miss. → When relaxed, team members can offer genuine feedback that can guide project success. 3/ Preventing Issues: → Addressing potential concerns early in informal chats helps prevent them from becoming bigger problems later. → These conversations allow individuals to speak up before risks or misalignments snowball. → By catching issues early, you can adjust the course without major disruptions. 4/ Creating a Safe Space: → Off-the-record discussions encourage honesty, helping people voice concerns without fear of judgment. → Informal settings can bring valuable insights that team members might hold back during formal meetings. → Fostering a comfortable environment makes it easier for everyone to share their thoughts. Next time you step away from your desk, keep an ear open. Those hallway conversations might be just what you need to move your project forward. Agree?

Corporate culture is not built only in conference rooms—it is often built on cricket grounds, trekking trails, or simple team gatherings over the weekend. When colleagues spend time together outside work, something powerful happens. Hierarchies fade, conversations become real, and relationships grow stronger. These informal connections often translate into better collaboration, trust, and teamwork back at work. Research consistently shows that engaged and happy employees are more productive and resilient, and shared experiences outside work help reduce stress while strengthening a sense of belonging. Sometimes a box cricket match, a volunteering drive, or a casual team outing can do more for culture than several formal meetings. Because in the end, strong organizations are built not just by working together—but by connecting as people. #EmployeeEngagement #CorporateCulture #TeamBonding #WorkplaceWellbeing #Leadership #EmployeeExperience #TeamBuilding #CorporateLife

Small gatherings are the secret sauce for genuine connections. When noise levels drop, conversations grow deeper and relationships stick. This Tuesday, Ishaan Das and I hosted a dinner meetup in Little Italy with founders from the NYC startup scene. Here’s why smaller, intentional events win every time: - Focused conversations: Fewer voices mean everyone gets heard. - Stronger bonds: Shared meals create a natural sense of trust. - Better feedback: You can dive into challenges and solutions more effectively. If you’re planning your next event, try these steps: - Limit your guest list to 10-15 people. - Pick an intimate venue: cozy restaurants or private dining rooms work great. - Add an activity if you can. Shift from big crowds to intentional meetups and watch your network flourish. Smaller dinners and activity-based events spark real bonds. Consider making your next gathering a lean, meaningful one.

🧠☕ Why the Breakroom Is the New Boardroom ☕🧠 Since I have been back with Coinadrink Limited, firstly as Sales & Marketing Manager and now as MD, I’ve learned that innovation doesn’t always happen in the boardroom. More often, it starts with a conversation over coffee. I see it in our offices, out at customer sites an even in a local coffee shop. Coffee machine cue’s I like to call them. Today’s workplace is evolving - and so is the way we think about productivity, collaboration, and culture. That’s why I believe the breakroom is becoming just as important as the boardroom. Here’s why: 🚧 Common Workplace Problems We’re All Facing: 👉 Employee burnout and disengagement 👉 Difficulty with communication between departments 👉 Time lost to staff going off site for breaks 👉 Difficulty attracting and retaining top talent 👉 Low morale in hybrid or high-pressure environments ☕ The Breakroom as a Strategic Asset ☕ ✅ Boosting Productivity - According to a study by the Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, employees who take regular, quality breaks are 40% more productive than those who don’t. A well-stocked breakroom with great coffee, snacks, and hydration options encourages short, effective breaks that recharge the mind. ✅ Fostering Collaboration - Casual spaces break down formal barriers. A Harvard Business Review study found that informal interactions increase cross-functional collaboration by up to 25%. Micro markets and smart fridges create natural gathering points where ideas can spark. ✅ Improving Retention and Culture - A Glassdoor survey revealed that 57% of employees say workplace perks are a top consideration when choosing a job. Offering premium coffee, healthy snacks, and hydration stations shows you care - and that matters. ✅ Reducing Downtime - On average, employees spend 20–30 minutes per day leaving the office for food or drinks. That’s over 100 hours per year, per employee. Micro markets and vending solutions keep people on-site, saving time and improving focus. Not to mention how much time they spend waiting for the kettle to boil. 💡 The Takeaway 💡 As leaders, we invest heavily in boardrooms because we value strategy. But the real magic often happens in the in-between moments - the spontaneous chats, the shared laughter, the quick brainstorms over a cappuccino. It’s time to rethink the breakroom. Not as a cost, but as a culture-building, productivity-driving, talent-retaining investment. Let’s build workplaces where people don’t just work - they thrive. Come and have a chat with our team and see how we can transform your breakroom to the hub of your business. 💬 I’d love to hear from you - What’s one small change you’ve made to your workplace that had a big impact? #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeExperience #SmartFridges #MicroMarkets #CoffeeCulture #FutureOfWork #BusinessStrategy #MoreThanJustVending

PhD Clinic Series-Pizza, Conversations, and Research: Why Every PhD Scholar Needs an Informal Research Community! One of the most enriching experiences during my doctoral journey was being part of a university culture that organized a Pizza Talk every Friday afternoon. It was not a formal seminar. There were no elaborate presentations, no rigid evaluation criteria, and no pressure to impress. Instead, it was a relaxed gathering where faculty members, researchers, and PhD scholars would come together over slices of pizza and discuss research. Typically, a PhD scholar would briefly present their ongoing work, challenges, preliminary findings, or even a half-baked idea. What followed was often the most valuable part of the session. Professors and colleagues from entirely different disciplines would ask questions, share perspectives, suggest methodologies, point toward relevant literature, and challenge assumptions. Surprisingly, some of the most insightful suggestions often came from people who were not experts in the scholar's immediate domain. The atmosphere was light, open, and non-judgmental. There was no fear of criticism because everyone was there to learn, contribute, and support each other. Research discussions became enjoyable rather than intimidating. Over time, these informal interactions produced outcomes far beyond technical feedback. They helped scholars: • Develop confidence in communicating their research. • Discover interdisciplinary collaboration opportunities. • Learn new tools, methods, and approaches. • Receive early feedback before conference or journal submissions. • Expand their professional networks. • Overcome isolation, which is often one of the biggest challenges during a PhD journey. • Build a sense of belonging within the research community. I strongly believe that universities and research institutions should intentionally create such informal research groups, coffee conversations, lunch seminars, pizza talks, and scholar circles. Research excellence is not built only in laboratories, libraries, or through formal review meetings. It is also built in conversations. Some of the best research ideas emerge not from scheduled supervision meetings but from spontaneous discussions with curious minds willing to ask simple questions and share diverse perspectives. Perhaps the future of doctoral education requires us to invest as much in creating communities of scholars as we do in creating infrastructure for scholars. If help is needed in navigating your PhD journey, selecting research directions, building collaborations, or overcoming common doctoral challenges, please feel free to DM me. Feel free to repost this or save it for your future reference. Vidyalankar Institute of Technology, Mumbai ResearchGate Elsevier Elsevier Researcher Academy Elsevier | Mendeley Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) #PhDClinic #DoctoralJourney #ResearchCulture #PhDScholar #ResearchCommunity #ResearchMentorship #PhDLife