What the idea of a new kind of toilet bowl from different postures might look like...
In mid-December, an "invention" was repeatedly in the media: a toilet bowl that slopes forward, as shown in the picture.
Whether this is "fake" or "real" is not for me to judge here. I had fun showing the attitude of Nonviolent Communication in the articles.
According to the inventor, the reasons publicised in the media for this invention are that the British economy is losing billions because employees spend too long sitting on the "quiet loo" and also usually do not do the "business" there but other things, such as Facebook etc... This toilet bowl is the solution to the problem, because after a few minutes of sitting, your legs fall asleep.
From a CSF perspective, the focus moves from judgement (employees are lazy and should work more) to needs.
What could these be?
On the side of a company owner, this can be growth, efficiency, continuity, trust, togetherness and the like.
Some needs might supposedly be fulfilled by shorter toilet sitting times, especially when needs are mixed with strategies or are merely "word shells" that try to nicely mask the ego-based attitude of "I am worth more than you, I am entitled to this, I am right (whereas you are not)".
An employee might have needs such as the following that push him or her to sit in the toilet more often and for longer periods of time: freedom, self-determination, co-determination, acceptance, balance, meaningfulness, growth, trust. Togetherness.
In me, the installation of said toilet bowl would empty these needs even more and hardly fill them. The tendency is for me to seek my space and balance elsewhere, and even more so than before. A "collusion" develops: both sides put pressure on each other and demand from each other, but don't say so. So, at least for me, the strategy of using such bowls to meet the needs of the company owner would not contribute.
What strategies are conceivable to meet the needs of both sides?
Without going into detail, anything that promotes co-determination, meaningfulness, acceptance, balance on the part of employees is likely to promote the mutual needs for growth, trust and togetherness.
These are leadership models that are increasingly in demand today. Beyond the hierarchies that are more right at the top and less right at the bottom. These are hierarchies that contain different tasks - but nothing more.
Attempts to fulfil these needs in employees without letting go of expectations produce interesting blossoms for me: playgrounds with table football and table tennis, meeting rooms in alpine hut style, green plants and sofas, free coffee - with simultaneous pressure not to take breaks and to keep the meetings short...
A slanted seat on the bowl would be more favourable.
Article in the Mirror Online