Who you sit near at work can elevate your performance or drag it down, making office layout a surprisingly powerful tool for success.
Most people understand that talent, hard work, and experience shape workplace performance. But what if one of the most overlooked factors influencing success is something as simple as who you sit next to? A study from Kellogg Insight, conducted by Dylan Minor and Michael Housman, found that employees working in close proximity to high performers experience a significant increase in their own productivity—by as much as 15%. This finding suggests that success is not just an individual effort but can be contagious in the right environment.
The Productivity Ripple Effect
When high performers are placed in a workplace, their impact doesn’t stop at their own output—it spreads. The research shows that employees who work near top performers tend to mirror their behaviours, improving their own efficiency, work ethic, and engagement. Whether through observation, informal learning, or simply feeling motivated by the energy and discipline of those around them, people tend to rise to the level of their colleagues.
Interestingly, the study found that this improvement in performance happens naturally, without the need for additional training or management intervention. It’s a form of passive learning—employees pick up habits, work styles, and strategies just by being in the same space as top performers. This phenomenon, often called “positive spillover,” can create a culture of high achievement within teams and departments.
However, there is a flip side to this effect. Just as good habits and high performance can be contagious, bad habits and negativity can spread just as quickly. The study revealed that sitting near a toxic coworker—someone who is disengaged, inefficient, or disruptive—can have an even stronger impact than sitting next to a high performer. Employees in close proximity to toxic workers often:
Pick up bad habits—adopting a lower standard of work
Lose motivation—feeling demoralised or frustrated
Experience a drop in productivity—due to distractions and a negative atmosphere
Shockingly, the negative effect of a toxic employee can be twice as strong as the positive effect of a high performer. This means that one toxic worker can do more damage to a team than a high performer can uplift it, making it crucial for managers to identify and address workplace negativity quickly.
The Hidden Power of Strategic Seating
Most companies focus on training, performance reviews, and incentives to boost productivity. However, this research suggests that something as simple as seating arrangements could be one of the most cost-effective ways to improve workplace performance.
By placing high performers in central locations where their positive influence can reach the most employees, businesses can create an environment where success becomes the norm.
On the other hand, isolating toxic employees—or addressing their behaviour through interventions—can prevent their negativity from spreading to the rest of the team.
Another interesting finding from the study is that while the negative effects of toxic employees appear quickly, they also disappear just as fast once that individual is moved away or removed from the company. This suggests that businesses don’t need to overhaul their workforce to improve productivity; in many cases, a few well-placed adjustments in the office layout can make all the difference.
“Sitting next to a toxic coworker can be even more damaging than the positive impact of a high performer”
How Hybrid Work Changes the Game
While the study was conducted in a traditional office setting, it raises important questions for today’s workforce, where remote and hybrid work models are becoming more common. If physical proximity to high performers can boost productivity, how can businesses replicate these effects in a digital environment?
For remote and hybrid teams, the challenge is to create virtual spaces that foster the same kind of informal learning and motivation that occurs naturally in a physical office. Some ways companies can do this include:
• Pairing employees with top performers in mentorship programs
• Creating digital workspaces that encourage real-time collaboration
• Hosting interactive team meetings where employees can observe and engage with high achievers
• Encouraging knowledge-sharing sessions where successful employees talk about their work habits
Companies that figure out how to replicate the positive spillover effect in hybrid settings will likely see higher productivity and more engaged employees—just as they would in a well-organized physical office.
The Business Case for Proximity-Based Productivity
The implications of this research are profound. In an era where companies are constantly searching for new ways to increase efficiency and drive results, seating strategy emerges as an often-overlooked but highly effective tool. Unlike expensive training programs or complex performance-based incentives, simply arranging employees strategically can yield impressive results with minimal cost.
Key Takeaways for Business Leaders
1. High performers boost the productivity of those around them—placing them in central locations can maximise this effect.
2. Toxic employees have an even stronger impact—but in a negative way—isolating or addressing them quickly can prevent harm to overall performance.
3. Seating arrangements can be an effective and low-cost way to enhance workplace productivity.
4. Hybrid and remote work environments must find new ways to replicate the benefits of working near high achievers.
“Employees who sit near top performers tend to step up their own work”
At a time when businesses are rethinking their workspaces, this research suggests that who you work next to matters just as much as the work itself. Whether in an office or a remote setting, success is contagious—and businesses should design their workplaces to make the most of it.