If you put cellist Yo-Yo Ma, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez in a room, they all would have a life experience in common to talk about: attending a Montessori school.
Was the success of these artists and critical thinkers solely due to attending this specific type of school? Probably not, but Montessori schools point out an important aspect of how many people learn and work best — hands-on and with a freedom to explore.
There are elements of Montessori education that can be found in many tech company headquarters around the world — the ability to move and roam as needed to wherever one works best, different sensory spaces to accommodate different styles of working and an overall environment of flexibility.
Finch, an HR software company, has an office in San Francisco that is built with these types of elements. The space accommodates different working styles and fosters different types of collaboration.
“The layout of the office makes this dynamic workday seamless and energizing, encouraging the kind of cross-functional collaboration that drives creative solutions and deeper connections,” said Head of Engineering Shoabe Shariff.
Built In San Francisco spoke with Shariff about how Finch’s inclusive way of work and mutli-space office helps him and his team collaborate and create.
Finch is a tech company that unifies employer systems such as HR, payroll, benefits and employee identity under a single API.
Tell us about your Finch’s office space, and how frequently your team uses it.
At Finch, our office space is designed to foster collaboration and creativity, reflecting the dynamic energy of a high-growth startup. Located in the heart of San Francisco, it’s both a functional and welcoming environment. The space features open workstations, quiet nooks for focused work and vibrant common areas that encourage spontaneous conversations and brainstorming sessions.
While our team is hybrid, many of us make a point of coming into the office two to three times a week. These in-office days are invaluable for collaborative work, team meetings and fostering connections that are harder to replicate virtually.
Personally, I spend most of my day collaborating in real-time with various colleagues across different functions. You can often find me in a conference room speaking with a customer, meeting with colleagues, rotating between desks to chat with teammates across different functions or collaborating on a whiteboard in our open space.
What types of amenities does Finch offer for in-office work? Do you have a personal favorite?
At Finch, we prioritize employee well-being and productivity. Our San Francisco office provides ergonomic workstations, collaborative meeting rooms, phone booths and quiet zones to accommodate various work styles. We also offer a fully stocked kitchen with (mostly 😉) healthy snacks and beverages, as well as comfortable lounge areas to encourage relaxation and informal interactions.
“Our San Francisco office provides ergonomic workstations, collaborative meeting rooms, phone booths and quiet zones to accommodate various work styles.”
My favorite highlight is our free lunches on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which have become a tradition for the team to gather in person, catch up and share a meal together. Although not quite an amenity, another great aspect is our prime location in San Francisco, just steps from the Montgomery BART station, surrounded by amazing coffee shops and incredible food options to explore.
Compared to working remotely, how would you say working in the office has benefitted the way you work?
Working in the office has had a significant positive impact on how we work, especially when it comes to collaboration and decision-making. Being in the same space with colleagues allows for quicker, more organic interactions that can lead to immediate problem-solving. Another benefit is the serendipitous conversations that happen in the office. Just the other day, a casual chat over coffee turned into a brainstorming session about improving one of our product features. These unplanned moments of collaboration often spark creative ideas that wouldn’t be initiated as easily in a remote setting.
That said, our hybrid structure ensures that everyone — whether in-office or remote — has the tools and support to collaborate effectively. Many of our team members work remotely from different areas, and we’ve embraced a culture where virtual jam sessions, asynchronous updates and documentation are foundational to keeping our environment inclusive. This ensures that no matter where someone is working, they can contribute fully and feel connected. Striking the right balance between in-person and remote setups makes work more fulfilling and helps create a supportive, energized team environment.
