Proportionality Bias and the Myth of the Big Fix

"The next big trend is going to fix everything!"

Proportionality bias often leads us to overlook solutions that don’t feel “big enough” to match the scale of our frustration. Instead, we chase after the next shiny method, cycling through trend after trend without ever addressing the core issues.

In recent years, workplace strategy clickbait has only fed this bias. Faced with “unprecedented times,” many clients assume radical challenges demand radical solutions. Often clients are surprised and occasionally unwilling to hear that there are evidence-based solutions to navigate today's workplace design.

The success of a workplace's design often comes not from what’s visible, but from the work that takes place behind the scenes to develop the strategy. An intentional and informed process ensures the workplace truly supports the work people are doing, that employees have been meaningfully included in the process to build stronger buy-in, and that the space aligns with the organization’s future vision.

Uncovering this kind of insight may seem deceptively simple. The final solution might not involve dramatic office overhauls or attention-grabbing changes — but the impact can be profound. When you're focused on searching for the next big trend or following what everyone else is doing, you risk overlooking the tried-and-true approaches that can actually take you where you need to go.

CRUX Workplace

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