Bringing the Outside in: Permaculture in the Workplace

By Gerard Tan

Permaculture is popularly known as a method of land management. Developed in the 1970s by Australians Bill Mollison and David Holmgren, permaculture was conceived in response to the challenges of industrial agriculture. As its name suggests, it was proposed as a method of permanent agriculture that would create productive ecosystems that could sustain people’s needs without degrading the environment.

At its core, permaculture is guided by three ethical maxims. ‘Earth care’ recognises the interdependence of all living systems, and stresses preserving and extending the natural environment. ‘People care’ calls attention to creating communities that support the well-being and health of all individuals, fostering social justice and inclusivity. ‘Fair share’ underscores the need to use and distribute resources in a way that meets the needs of all members of a community.

As its originators note, permaculture is a system of design. Its design principles are based in the field of ecology and incorporate perspectives from other disciplines, such as landscape geography and ethnobiology. Over the years, the permaculture principles have been adapted and applied to a variety of settings beyond agriculture, including business, community development and education.

Social permaculture is one such adaptation. It draws inspiration from permaculture’s take on connectivity and energy dynamics and can be applied to a wide range of social contexts, including organisations and workplaces, to create conditions that encourage nurturing, empowering relationships and promote wellbeing, collaboration, and creativity.

Applying social permaculture in the workplace could entail:

» Cultivating a sense of community – Creating opportunities for employees to connect with each other on a personal level, such as through regular team-building activities or social events, can help people get to know each other and break down silos.

» Building a positive workplace culture – Employees who feel valued and respected by management and their colleagues are more likely to feel a sense of belonging, to support one another and cooperate to achieve common goals.

» Encouraging diversity and inclusion – A workforce that embraces diversity will have broader perspectives and a deeper understanding of issues and events, as well as more resilient responses. Considering the needs and perspectives of all employees, regardless of their background or identity, can create more inclusive and supportive work environments that promote engagement creativity and innovation.

» Fostering autonomy and ownership – Empowering employees to make decisions and supporting them with the resources to do their jobs effectively can increase a sense of ownership and self-motivation.

» Creating a sense of shared purpose and meaning –When employees feel that their work is meaningful and aligned with the organisation's overall goals and values, it can help to create a sense of motivation, engagement, and overall wellbeing.

» Embedding sustainability – Implementing sustainable practices in the workplace, such as recycling programs or energy-efficient practices, can help to create a culture of environmental responsibility and promote a sense of shared purpose.

» Supporting employee wellbeing – Recognising and mitigating psychosocial hazards in the workplace will reduce job strain. Employers can support wellbeing by encouraging and normalising health-giving habits such as regular breaks, mindfulness and help-seeking.

Applying these principles can have a positive impact on employee satisfaction, productivity, and overall organisational effectiveness. By creating a workplace that promotes collaboration, creativity, and employee wellbeing, organisations can build a more sustainable and resilient workforce that is better equipped to adapt to change and achieve its goals.

Holmgren’s Permaculture Principles

» Observe and interact

» Catch and store energy

» Obtain a yield

» Apply self-regulation and accept feedback

» Use and value renewable resources and services

» Produce no waste

» Design from patterns to details

» Integrate rather than segregate

» Use small and slow solutions

» Use edges and value the marginal

» Use and value diversity

» Creatively use and respond to change

For more, see https://www.ic.org/ social-permaculture-applying-theprinciples/

Gerard is NGIV’s dedicated mental health clinician/consultant, and provides direct support to individuals and businesses. The service is free to NGIV members. Scan the QR code to book an appointment.