Spatial Attraction
SPATIAL ATTRACTION is a podcast about the spaces we work in, and the forces that shape how we think, interact, and perform.
Hosted by Kursty Groves (author, speaker, and senior advisor on work, experience and human performance), the show explores why some environments energise people and make good work easier… while others leave us scattered, tense, or stuck. Each episode follows one clear theme - from focus and flow to trust, belonging, creativity, and momentum - and looks at what’s really driving behaviour beneath the surface.
You’ll hear expert interviews, real-world stories, and research-informed insights across five dimensions of space: physical, social, digital, cognitive (headspace), and temporal. Expect practical language, sharp observations, and simple shifts you can make - whether you’re leading a team, shaping experience, or redesigning the conditions for better work.
If you’re joining from The Office Chronicles, welcome - this is the next chapter.
Spatial Attraction
How to create a ‘destination office’? with Tom Kegode, Lloyds Banking Group
What if you could have a ‘destination office’ rather than a bland office that people dread coming into?
How do you create spaces at work that energize people?
How do you make people look forward to their days in the office?
It’s not just hitting KPIs that creates value at work. Connection, community, and collaboration create immeasurable value. Tom Kegode and Kursty discuss how to use office spaces to grow social capital and why social capital is a necessary form of productivity.
Tom Kegode is the Work:Lab Lead at Lloyd’s Banking Group where he is creating new imaginations and realities of work. He’s had a 13-year career at Lloyd’s so far.
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What we discussed:
(00:22) How did work at Lloyd Bank change over the years?
(09:09) Collaboration spaces are NOT enough
(15:10) What’s hard to replicate virtually?
(17:29) Transactional work vs. joyful work
(23:11) Having a floor dedicated to testing workspace configurations
(30:33) Building critical mass for rich work experiences
(33:32) The new way to feel belonging at work
(41:11) Getting in touch with Tom Kegode
4 things to remember:
- Collaboration is the byproduct of connection and community. Collaboration can happen anywhere as long as you have community and connection.
- Productivity isn’t just progressing on your KPI, forming social connections and increasing your social capital are their own forms of productivity.
- When work gets reduced to a transactional task, rather than a joyful and energetic experience it becomes easy to quit.
- It’s really important for everyone to feel like they’re part of something when they enter their office building. There has to be something meaningful and fulfilling they’re getting by being present there at the office.
Links
Connect with Tom Kegode: LinkedIn
Connect with Kursty Groves: LinkedIn | Twitter | Ask a question or pitch an idea: kursty@shapeworklife.com
Spatial Attraction is written, produced, and hosted by Kursty Groves.
Original music and sound production by Lee Golledge.
For episodes and updates, visit https://kurstygroves.com/podcast/ - and follow Spatial Attraction on LinkedIn and Instagram.
To suggest a theme or guest, email jen@spatial-attraction-podcast.com.