There's no job more interesting than working behind the scenes.

I'm Fujita, and I'm in charge of concept design management.

When we receive inquiries about workplace design, such as office layout, it's often someone from the general affairs department who takes the lead.

The general affairs department is responsible for setting up the daily premises, such as the work environment and rules. Tasks such as managing office layout and facilities, as well as company regulations and operational rules, are all essential for getting work done. These kinds of jobs are often called "behind the scenes" work. This is because they are often perceived as supporting the main players rather than being in the spotlight.

But can we really say that with such certainty?

Without that premise, the work itself cannot exist. Perhaps the unseen aspects actually determine the whole picture. That perspective should also be valid.

Those of us involved in workplace design are also in a position to deal with "invisible assumptions" in the same way.
That's why I want to reconsider how we perceive this behind-the-scenes work.

 

The role of "General Affairs" as seen in company regulations

For example, even something as simple as the company rules established by each company is quite profound. Company rules increase as a company grows. They may be simple at the time of founding, but as the organization grows, the number of items increases, and the longer a company lasts, the more detailed rules accumulate. Each and every one of them has a background. They were added as a result of past events or troubles, and the necessity arose through actual operation.

In short, company rules are the history of the company itself. They are a record of the decisions that have been made over time, and they reflect the organization's values and way of thinking.

The general affairs department, which handles the company's rules, is at the heart of its history. This is because they manage the accumulation of past practices while simultaneously shaping the rules for the future.

Those working behind the scenes are often described as supporting figures. They're imagined as supporting the main characters like limbs, but if we were to use a physical analogy, their position is closer to the torso. While limbs are visible for their movement, the torso is at the center of it all. Without a torso, limbs alone are useless. Without an environment and rules, individual strengths cannot be unleashed. All visible results are built upon these fundamental prerequisites.

 

A place that leads to the workplace

The workplace designs we create follow the same structure. Space defines how we work, and the environment changes people's behavior. This isn't just about layout; it's a matter that concerns the very nature of the organization itself.

How do you want me to work?

What kind of relationship do you want to create?

These intentions are then expressed in the form of space.

The essence of behind-the-scenes work isn't directly producing results. It's about creating the "state" that serves as the premise for action. It's about setting up systems so that everyday life can function smoothly.

Those working behind the scenes play a crucial role in connecting the past, present, and future. They handle history in the form of company regulations, support daily operations, and gradually shape the future. It's much like how humankind has built up civilization over time.

These "invisible aspects" are what determine the true nature of an organization.

When viewed in that light, the meaning of this job changes dramatically.

Behind-the-scenes work is not simply about providing support.

This job involves creating the foundation necessary for the work itself to function.
When you become aware of that structure, the role of working behind the scenes may begin to appear as something more proactive and interesting.