In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.
These are the inspirational words from Franklin D.Roosevelt, and today’s professionals are getting things done remotely in order to gain independence, enjoying flexible lifestyles and striving hard for that freedom.
Freedom and the inclination towards a self-reliant, standalone professional life have, however, made professionals lonelier. To become less detached, an increasing number of independent workers are joining coworking spaces. Joining a coworking space has led to professionals feeling more included and also opened up opportunities to meet new people from in and around the industry.
With the coworking movement in its full swing, almost every other business district in the world has seen a more willingness to take up shared office space. A study by Coworking Resources predicts that global footprint of coworking spaces will show a tremendous 42% growth. Desk spaces, private cubicles as well as large office cabins are being rented out to working individuals and groups.
So, why is it that an increasing number of people prefer coworking spaces instead of working at home or joining as an employee in an actual company office? Coworking office space has become the most productive environment for most professionals. And, the biggest factor behind this is the true sense of community these shared workplaces create.
How Coworking Spaces Create a Great Work Community
To keep the members of the shared office space engaged, it is important that coworking spaces have that “community” factor. There are many benefits to making the workspace feel like a peaceful and innovative community, least of which is motivation towards the work and boosting individual abilities.
What makes a coworking space a great community to work in? Let’s Find Out!
- Coworking office space Promoting the “Community” Vision
Your work community is in a lot of ways highly responsible for your productivity. Coworking offices endorse this by making the community vision explicit for its members. At the same time, these spaces allow members to self-select their desire for a work community. Some members feel the need for a community to strengthen their social structures and professional connections, while a group of independent workers considers joining a coworking community for helping their small business grow organically.
- Focusing on Common Denominators
When there is a mutual desire to build a community at work, each individual is able to identify things they have in common with others. For example, there is a good chance of a graphics designer interacting with a marketing professional in a coworking environment. Their common interests in creating marketable and informative content can help them coordinate towards professional growth.
- Accepting Social Norms
Individuals have their own cultural and social norms when it comes to business communications and interpersonal interactions. In coworking communities, people behave responsibly with each other. There is no “boss” that makes you feel intimidated. Everyone is equally entitled to work and interact correctly with others.
- Participating in social activities
The true sense of community comes from the participation of individuals in social events. Instead of feeling obligated to, members are being encouraged to engage with others. Shared daily routines give socially adrift individuals several chances to interact with others over lunch or coffee breaks. During less-stressful days, common areas are converted into fun events where coworkers are expected to participate willfully.
In this way, a coworking environment is able to co-construct the sense of community that satiates the social and professional needs of its members. This increasing presence of community-minded people makes coworking a better social experience for independent workers.
Why a Coworking Community is best for you
Working alone is not the same as doing our own work but in the presence of others; the latter has more benefits. Most independent professionals or freelancers need this sense of community while working. They join a coworking office as this feeling of community helps them increase productivity in their work.
All coworking environments incorporate this sense of community into their world of work
Here are some benefits a coworking space offers:
- Flexible memberships and working hours
- Collaborations with like-minded people
- Diverse working environment
- Healthy work-life balance
- Improved professional networking
- Cost-efficiency for entrepreneurs and startups
- Increasingly productive outcomes
Harvard Business Review reveals that over 90% of people were happier working after they joined a coworking space. As this trend of community-building gains momentum in all fields of work, coworking spaces will continue to be suitable environments for future businesses to incubate and grow!
