Like most successful business leaders, you’re probably always on the lookout for ways to promote a productive office environment and keep employees happy. A short while ago, it may have seemed like an open office plan was the key to a cohesive, collaborative workplace.

How do your employees’ surroundings impact their productivity? Do they perform better in certain environments than others? Some of today’s most forward-thinking organizations—Google, Zappos, Pixar, 6 p.m. and Red Bull, to name a few—have discovered the power of an innovative office culture to keep employees energized and engaged.

Gone are the days when an ornate oak desk in a corner office indicated a higher rung on the corporate ladder. Today’s executives operate in a variety of environments that range from open and collaborative workspaces to more formal and traditional offices...

It’s a common proverb many are taught from an early age: “Appearances aren’t everything.” It’s generally considered good practice not to form judgments solely on appearances as there’s usually more to something than meets the eye....