Where has happened to community?
“Community” has become a throwaway word. Overused yet lacking substance. We hear that everybody wants it, everybody builds it, and everybody has it. But at the same time, we hear that more people than ever before feel isolated – even when they are surrounded by hundreds of desks full of other people in coworking spaces. Today’s workers are not only missing the water cooler conversations that happen every day at traditional organizations, they also miss team meetings and learning events.
The modern workplace is a collection of multiple business models coexisting in the same space, and people who sit together have different goals and different values…those things around which “community” would organically emerge in the workplace of old. It seems real community has gone missing, and coworking spaces are trying ardently to recreate it.
Coworking spaces typically exceed our basic need for shelter and safety by providing modern, secure work environments. And, since membership to certain coworking spaces offers a certain je ne sais quoi, members often feel their reputations are enhanced by belonging to these groups. Networking with other members is another real benefit of belonging to a coworking space, either to sell products and services or as a replacement for online dating, however, people may leave once sales leads have dried up or a social relationship goes bad. Sustainable community doesn’t happen as a result of having these benefits.
“How do we create REAL community?”
An essential question has emerged. How can coworking spaces create real community?
“Community” is not about impressive, high-ceilinged spaces, it’s not about wearing ultra-casual-chic clothing to work, nor is it about swapping stories at events with free beer and snacks. Instead, community is about people holding themselves to a higher purpose.
Creating a sustainable community requires more active engagement in members’ stories. It’s about understanding each story, having meaningful conversations about it, sharing expertise, and learning and growing together. When coworking members have the same sense of purpose – of helping each other to thrive, an organic, prosperous community will grow and surround them.
Encouraging members to band together with the purpose of helping each other thrive, creates an authentic, prosperous, REAL community.
We work with coworking spaces to create real community by offering the forum for community connections to be made. Contact us at info@greaterthancourses to discuss how you can create that common sense of purpose in your coworking space. One that will outlast a sales pitch!
But what about all the perks and benefits offered by formal organizations? What about personal development and career growth? What about training? How do independent workers and entrepreneurs seek out and find growth opportunities?
Prior to the workshop, workshop invitees completed the GreaterThan personal leadership assessment, and individualized results were reviewed during the workshop. While examining each of various leadership strengths, participants had an opportunity to better understand his or her own leadership challenges, blind spots, and improvement opportunities. After sharing different insights and perspectives on the benefits and challenges of developing leadership characteristics to become a more authentic leader, WeWork Labs members identified and shared thoughts about ways within their current day-to-day to eliminate as many of these blind spots as possible.
Through these discussions and information sharing, participants learned techniques for creating an environment where trust, collaboration and smart risk-taking is the norm.
