From workplaces to work results: May puts it all in perspective

Let’s be honest. May has a way of sharpening the view. Not quite halfway through the year and yet you start taking stock. What’s working, what’s fluff and where the real value sits. All because the mid-year and summer are right on the horizon.

In the world of workspaces and coworking, that reflection hits a little deeper. Because if the last few months have shown us anything, it’s this: hybrid is here to stay, but it’s time we do it better.

Hybrid needs direction, not just freedom

Flexible working used to be about freedom. But freedom without direction just creates noise. What people are after now is clarity: how to work smarter, not longer. How to balance autonomy with accountability. How to stay productive without burning out.

Operators and workspace providers have a big role to play in that. We don’t just offer square meters anymore. We offer frameworks. Routines. Environments that support focus, flow, and interaction without friction.

The days of just “providing a desk” are behind us. The future’s about giving people a system that supports output and wellbeing.

Wellbeing is not soft. It’s strategic

That’s exactly the point Ann De Bisschop drives home in her new book “Hoe slimmer werken werkt. Van werkdruk naar werkgeluk.” It’s not about yoga mats and slogans. It’s about helping people perform, without constantly running on empty.

The smartest companies know this. They’ve stopped asking whether wellbeing matters. They’re asking how to embed it into their operations: into the tech stack, the team rhythm and yes, the workspace itself.

And if we, as operators, want to stay relevant, we’d better be answering that question to: with services, design, and experiences that support it.

From flexible to intentional

Flexibility got us through the chaos. But now it’s time to shift gears. What we need now is intent.

Why are we creating space? For whom? And how does it help them deliver?

If we’re serious about building work environments that matter, we need to go beyond convenience. We need to create places that make sense for the people using them. Spaces that adapt to different rhythms (for sure!), but also push teams forward. Support focus. Enable connection. And help people do better work.

What’s next is what we build

We don’t need to predict the future of work. We’re building it. Every layout, every coffee area, every event we host. It all sends a message.

The question is: are we just offering space? Or are we helping people achieve real results?

Because the market’s moving fast. As operators we need to follow suit and stop chasing trends and start solving problems.

Let’s stay sharp. Let’s keep leading. And let’s make sure the workspaces we offer don’t just look good, but actually work.