The adaptation to hybrid work continues to shape the modern workplace. Business leaders often hope their teams will spend more time in the office. But they may need to fully comprehend the significance of status-signalling and status-seeking behaviour within the office environment.
The experience of being immersed in an environment where status signalling is rampant can differ significantly for those at different levels of the social strata, leading to varying preferences regarding office use.
Status-seeking drives our decision-making and fuels our ambition.
The quest for status is a fundamental human instinct. We all want to feel valued and respected. So, we seek status through our possessions, relationships, and careers.
Pursuing higher status drives ambition and inspires us to excel in our endeavours. As the author Robert Greene writes: “The pursuit of status often leads people to push the boundaries of their capabilities, striving for greatness and leaving a mark on the world.”
Status anxiety.
The desire to climb higher on the social ladder can be motivating, but it can also trigger anxiety when we compare ourselves unfavourably to others. Alain de Botton’s “Status Anxiety” delves into the fear of being perceived as unsuccessful.
