The panelists, from left to right: Avinash Rajagopal, editor in chief, *Metropolis;* Jean Anderson, firmwide design experience leader, principal, Gensler; Chris Butterick, director, AMER workplace operations, LinkedIn; Nicolai Czumaj-Bront, design leader of the International Studio, product development, Haworth; and Joe Yacovone, managing director, project and development services, JLL. **Courtesy Federica Carlet**

Digital technology is integrated into nearly every aspect of the workplace, completely altering workflows. Journalists, previously armed with a notepad and pen in their pocket protector, are now jotting notes on their phones—a gesture that older generations can misread as being inattentive. At a recent panel at Haworth’s New York showroom, speakers discussed technology’s impact on the office and how designers can optimize spaces to better engage employees and shape workplace culture.

Employee engagement involves serious consideration of how and why spaces are created. As a design experience leader at Gensler, Jean Anderson strives to craft environments that cater to various work styles and personalities so that employees feel a sense of autonomy. She champions designing with intention and interconnectivity in mind. “What’s really important is all the spaces you create are connected from a digital standpoint—all the furniture you design should be an ergonomic work setting where people, even in lounges, can work and truly be tetherless,” she told the guests assembled at Haworth.

Chris Butterick, operations director at LinkedIn, elaborated on Anderson’s point. He believes in fully understanding staff workflows to optimize processes based on specific needs. “At its core, the form this usually takes is a connection between[a] manager and their team,” he said. “If you’re optimizing for those relationships, that really facilitates a high degree of engagement with the company and with their teams.”