🎧 Listen now:
Patrick Woo, HR Director for APAC at Steelcase, shares insights from his over 20-year HR journey and delves into Steelcase's innovative strategies, focusing on trends like AI, screen time, sustainability, and wellbeing.
Highlighting Steelcase’s commitment to diversity, particularly through the 'Women of Steel' initiative in India, Patrick discusses the evolving landscape of workplace design, emphasizing agility, value alignment, and fostering inclusive work environments.
💡 Episode Key Insights
• Designing for Hybrid Realities: Rethinking Engagement in a Screen-Heavy World [00:13:00]
Patrick shares how over 56% of meetings are now hybrid—and why this shift demands a redesign of workspaces to foster connection, not just convenience.
• Agility by Design: How Steelcase Builds for Change [00:20:40]
A “one-size-fits-all” model no longer works. Patrick explains how intentional design creates flexibility for focused work, collaboration, and community.
• Mental Health Is Non-Negotiable: Meeting Gen Z Expectations [00:19:40]
Gen Z sees mental well-being as a basic requirement. Patrick explores how workplace strategy must evolve to support a new generation of talent.
• From Job Ads to Community Impact: Building Inclusive Factories in India [00:29:30]
Patrick recounts Steelcase’s grassroots DEI efforts—engaging not just women, but families and local elders to reshape gender norms and build trust.
• Community-Based Design: A New Framework for the Office [00:22:10]
Inspired by urban planning, Patrick introduces a spatial model that mirrors city life—business hubs, parks, and gathering spaces—to boost human connection.
Designing Dynamic Workspaces for a New Era
In the evolving landscape of today's workplaces, creating spaces that cater to the diverse needs of employees is more crucial than ever. In a recent conversation with Patrick Woo, HR Director for APAC at Steelcase, the importance of flexibility and community in workspace design emerged as pivotal themes. As Woo articulated,
“One space fits all is no longer an option. You need flexibility in your spaces."
The challenge is crafting environments that allow for seamless transitions between focused work and collaborative engagements. Steelcase's strategy involves leveraging community-based design, akin to urban planning. This approach is evident in their Singapore office, where designated areas serve distinct purposes, from leadership collaboration to casual interactions. Woo further explained, "We're building and reimagining the workspace...through communities inspired by urban planning."
Such strategies do more than enhance productivity; they foster a sense of belonging and engagement crucial in a post-COVID world. The imperative for adaptable spaces that cater to diverse tasks is clear, as teams navigate the hybrid reality of remote and in-office work.
Embedding Core Values and Cultivating Inclusion
Steelcase's sustained reputation as an admired company hinges upon its unwavering commitment to core values and inclusivity, particularly towards women in the workforce. Their initiative, Women of Steel, showcases a deliberate effort to break cultural and gender biases in regions like Pune, India.
“We went out in the community...and invited families to come tour the plant,"
Woo shared, highlighting their unique approach to altering perceptions about manufacturing roles for women. This initiative not only disrupted existing stereotypes but also cultivated new opportunities for women, fostering both personal confidence and economic independence.
The overarching success of such programs illustrates the profound impact of integrating values with business strategies. This alignment resonates strongly, capturing the interest and loyalty of communities, employees, and clients alike. Woo emphasized that for Steelcase, it’s about, "better futures for people and the planet."
Navigating the Integration of AI and Workplace Well-being
The post-COVID era is marked by significant technological integration, notably through AI, and with it, a renewed focus on employee well-being. Woo reflected on the implications of this AI supercycle, stating, "Leaders...are saying that, yes, AI is important, but they don't really know what to do with it."
As AI becomes pivotal in everyday tasks, firms must adapt their workspaces to support both technological necessities and human interactions. This evolution demands a careful balance—a juxtaposition of privacy for concentration and open spaces for team collaboration. Steelcase is addressing this by conceptualizing workspaces that foster interaction without compromising individual focus.
Equally critical is the aspect of well-being. As Woo noted, "people are really looking towards...well-being urgency." Companies are increasingly expected to address mental health alongside physical health, particularly as younger generations prioritize well-being in their career considerations. The shift demands holistic workspace solutions that ensure employees thrive both personally and professionally.
"The only way to manage uncertainty is to build in agility."
— Patrick Woo
Related Resources
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MEET OUR GUEST
Patrick Woo
Patrick Woo is the Director of Human Resources at Steelcase Asia Pacific. With a diverse professional background in both the private and public sectors, ranging from government and aviation to management consulting and manufacturing. Patrick is well-experienced in leading and partnering with global teams across Asia Pacific and North America. He is passionate about people and supporting personal growth and achievements by applying his longstanding experience in leadership, strategy and talent management towards building talent and capability across organizations.
Co-Host, The HR Impact Show
Dorothy Yiu is the CEO & Co-Founder of EngageRocket, one of Asia’s top EX & people analytics platforms. She brings over a decade of experience in human resources, technology, and business strategy. Before co-founding EngageRocket, Dorothy was the Regional Head of Operations for Gallup, where she oversaw more than 100 large-scale consulting projects globally.
Recognised for her leadership in HR and technology, Dorothy was awarded Leader of the Year at the HR Vendors of the Year Awards 2024 by Human Resources Online. She was also named one of the Top 50 Asian Women Tech Leaders 2025. Dorothy holds two degrees from Singapore Management University under the Lee Kong Chian Scholarship and was named an SG Digital Leader by IMDA in 2024. She was also NTT’s Women of the Future nominee in 2022.