Why Employees are "Hacking" the Workplace | with Ken Baker

What if the office isn’t underperforming… it’s just never been aligned with how people actually work?In this conversation, I sit down with Ken Baker, Regional Managing Principal at Gensler, to unpack what’s really changing in the workplace, and what most organizations are still getting wrong. Ken brings a unique perspective, not just as a designer, but as someone leading a global firm while navigating the same pressures his clients are facing.We discuss the real issues shaping the next generation of work environments:-Why the office is struggling to keep up with how people actually work-How AI is amplifying human interaction, not replacing it-The shift from efficiency → experience, performance, and connection-Why the best workplaces are becoming “magnets, not mandates”-The growing role of hospitality, learning, and focus spaces-How better design is directly tied to profitability, retention, and performance-What leaders are missing about their own organizations-And why the future may depend on how we rethink and reuse our citiesDownload the State of the Workplace Report - https://workdesign.beehiiv.com/industry-reportA synthesis of insights from leaders across design, research, and workplace strategy.