Why are people moving away from traditional offices and turning more towards coworking spaces? The answer is simple: in shared spaces, they have more benefits and opportunities for growth. Additionally, the culture and environment of these spaces make employees happier and keep them productive. But there is another big benefit that only coworking spaces provide, and that is becoming a part of a community.
Yes, shared spaces allow communities to grow and benefit employees who are a part of them. These are mostly professional communities, and the purpose of this relationship building is to create better opportunities for employees and help them stay productive. So, in this blog, we will share how coworking spaces build communities and how employees benefit from them.
How are Communities Formed in Coworking Spaces?
In coworking spaces, there are many different types of employees. Freelancers from different industries, entrepreneurs offering specific services or products, and remote workers working in big companies all sit in one shared workspace.
Apart from their working hours, during break or through random conversations, when these different professionals hold conversations, they build their own professional community. This community even rekindles those connections that have been forgotten for a long time.
So, the community aspect of coworking spaces has a natural dynamic relationship and fosters growth for everyone.
How Coworking Spaces Foster Community Growth in Employees
Shared spaces are open to all employees and have a different culture compared to traditional offices. Here, employees don’t feel obstructed by the constraints of their bosses and have limited connections. But in coworking spaces, the field is open to all people, and anyone can make new friends and connections. So, coworking spaces create communities in the following ways:
Wider Networking Opportunities
Can you think of any easy way you can make new friends and connections in your professional life if you work in a traditional office? No, the number of people is limited to only the office building. However, in coworking spaces, there are different offices, independent employees like freelancers, and even remote workers. You have more people to meet and talk to.
There will be a larger category of these people in the shared space. It gives you the opportunity to make new connections, engage in interesting conversations, and increase your knowledge. In shared spaces, even a stranger entrepreneur feels like your old mentor and friend. So, in these workspaces, you can easily grow your professional network.
Stronger Support System
An employee working in a traditional office setting has enough support around them. Their team members and managers act as their mentors and guide them. But what about those employees who work independently or have their own small business? Who guides them, or where do they take their support from?
They find their comfort and support through coworking spaces. These workspaces bring in people from different backgrounds; there may be beginners and experts working in their fields. Employees can take emotional support and career guidance from other successful members working in the shared space.
Additionally, for the early stages of setting up your own business, coworking spaces provide employees with a professional office space to work. Thus, you become a part of a stronger community that is there to help you.
Special Community Events
In normal offices, they do hold events, but it is rare. The typical culture of the office is to focus on work and productivity. However, it is not possible if there is no other activity to refresh yourself and think with a fresh perspective. In coworking spaces, that’s not the case, and that’s why they are better than traditional offices.
In shared spaces, there are often many useful events for employees. They are professional events focusing on networking, beginning your own business, staying abreast with technology, and managing taxes and finances.
This gives you a break from your routine and helps you gain helpful knowledge of the corporate world system. When employees attend these events, they make new friends and initiate new activities, and it creates their own interesting community at the coworking space.
Easy Collaboration of Employees
Collaborations are magical. When people or employees sit together and work on a project, different ideas come forward. This shapes the project or task to have a perfect finish. In offices, employees also have their own little collaborations or projects, and we see their results in the success of the project.
Similarly, employees working in the coworking space also collaborate when needed. There may be an employee who wants to start his own small business and needs a business partner. In shared spaces, you have a professional community around you, and you can get help from other members.
Consequently, collaborating with your business partner and working on a new business will be very easy in coworking spaces, as you can sit in quiet offices and collaborate at any time that feels appropriate.
Flexibility in Professional Life
Employees who work in coworking spaces enjoy full flexibility in their work life. These people usually follow their own schedules and manage their time differently from others. In shared spaces, freelancers and other remote workers rent their space and make their own little office.
This creates a new small community of independent employees, and they are easily connected with each other. Like in traditional offices, employees become each other’s friends, and coworking spaces allow different independent employees to become friends as well who work in a flexible model.
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How to Create Communities in Coworking Spaces?
Communities build up in the coworking spaces naturally when different employees socialize with each other. However, to keep the community system strong and create a positive culture in the workplace, it is essential to put effort into keeping all employees engaged. Thus, the following are the ways you can create and keep coworking communities strong:
- Practicing Leadership and Management
Bringing effective leadership is the key to creating any community. So, practice leadership to create a shared space community and then manage it to grow in the future.
- Establishing Goals and Values
If you want to keep a community culture, then make it one of the core goals of the organization. Moreover, creating positive values is also important to keep the community growth visible and strong.
- Fostering Respect and Inclusivity
No community can grow if it is not welcoming to people. So, create a culture of respect and inclusivity for people of different backgrounds and cultures and invite them equally, like other members, for extra activities.
- Supporting Collaboration Opportunities
Employees of coworking spaces are usually booked in their own schedules, so you can invite them to attend events and workshops and give them more value. Such programs help employees connect and collaborate with each other.
- Incorporating Feedback and Suggestions
Coworking spaces can improve their services for the employees by taking feedback and suggestions from them. This is important as to grow communities and healthy professional relationships, you should allow suggestions from other employees.
Final Thoughts
Coworking spaces can easily attract employees to their facilities and offer them luxurious flexibility and benefits. If employees are happy and satisfied, they become a part of the shared space community. However, it is crucial to maintain the culture of the coworking space community. Moreover, the coworking space should invest time and effort and effective strategies to keep growing and supporting the culture of the shared space community.
Do you want to work in a premium shared space? Workpod is the right place for you. It is a modern and the best coworking space in Johar Town Lahore, where you can enjoy a flexible workspace and strong community support.