New ideas, broader networks, and streamlined communications are all built from positive connections and collaborations at work.
For many companies and organizations, this comes from internal collaboration—colleagues working together on projects and initiatives or team members connecting with each other on a casual, informal basis.
And in a traditional workspace, the benefits of those internal collaborations end when you leave your office or suite. Your community is limited to that specific space.
But coworking spaces offer more. There’s collaboration in a coworking space that goes beyond your internal team.
Here’s what that looks like and why it’s so important to develop.
Collaboration in a Coworking Space: Why it Matters
We’ll start by saying that collaboration in a coworking space beyond your team does not replace the importance of building connections among your team. It’s definitely important to build strong rapport and company culture with your direct colleagues and teammates.
This is because we know that community is important for both the overall productivity and success of a company, as well as the mental health and well-being of each individual.
Strong communities at work lead to a number of important outcomes:
- Innovative ideas and creativity through collaboration and discussion
- Sense of belonging and strong team rapport
- Improved communication and conflict-resolution
- Timely project management and meeting deadlines
- Unified approach to team values and mission
Working together as a team is important for your success as a company. So, consider how you’re building company culture and creating a work environment where collaboration and community are possible.
From there, you can start to look externally and see how to achieve the benefits of collaboration in a coworking space.
3 Key Areas of Collaboration in a Coworking Space
So, community is important to develop within your team. But, it’s important to expand beyond that, too. If you are always with the same people, you run the risk of operating in an echo chamber with little external input.
Finding meaningful collaboration in a coworking space beyond your team benefits both individuals and companies as a whole.
Here are four key areas you can expand collaboration in a coworking space and the specific ways it supports your work.
Formal Networking and Collaboration
The first way to find collaboration in a coworking space is through formal events and networking opportunities hosted by the coworking operator. This could be attending things like lunch-and-learns, mastermind groups, or workshops.
There are also social events like happy hour, speed networking, or mixers that foster collaboration in a coworking space.
Attending these as as a member of a coworking space can lead to:
- Increased networks: Meeting other people can lead to partnerships, joint ventures, client referrals, and so much more. It’s easier to establish new relationships when you are an active member and attend organized events.
- Learning and skill development: Organized events are often designed around professional development topics or skills. You can optimize your knowledge and understanding by getting involved and enhancing your skills.
Organic Connections
Besides formal, planned events, coworking spaces are a great place to foster organic connections. You can build collaboration in a coworking space simply by spending time in shared spaces.
Most coworking spaces have shared lounges, kitchens, or outdoor spaces where you can grab a coffee and relax. This is a great way to meet people naturally and socialize with a broad set of professionals.
This is beneficial for a number of reasons:
- Innovative ideas: The more people you get to know, the more ideas you’re exposed to. Connecting with people in an organic way naturally lends to the cross-pollination of ideas. You might converse with people from backgrounds and sectors different from your own, which helps boost creativity and innovation by bringing up ideas you’ve never thought about.
- Diverse skill sets: Similarly, when you talk to a wide range of people you normally don’t in day-to-day work life, you have access to a lot of diverse skills. You might realize your team is lacking this skill in-house and can then partner with new collaborators to get the results you’re looking for.
- Feedback loop: If you want to get some feedback on ideas or business strategies, tap into your network. This can be more formalized (i.e., part of an entrepreneurship mastermind program), or you can gain a lot of clarity through simple conversations in shared spaces.
- Cultural enrichment: Meeting a broad variety of people from diverse backgrounds can support building a more inclusive company culture.
- Socialization: Organic, natural interactions are a form of socialization that’s important for professionals to engage in. It lets you take a break from work and do something enjoyable and fun, which in turn helps you become more creative and productive in the long run.
Environment for Success
The physical design of your workspace is equally important to the organic and intentional interpersonal opportunities. You can build collaboration in a coworking space just because of how it’s set up and operates. Because it’s different from a traditional office space, there are more opportunities.
Here are some ways to leverage the environment of success at a coworking space:
- Resource sharing: Companies that use the same physical space can more easily share resources, ranging from software tools and subscriptions to physical equipment. This both reduces costs and fosters a sense of community through helping each other out.
- Access to talent: Because you’re working in close proximity to other professionals, it’s much easier to collaborate with them. You have access to diverse talent in a way you just don’t when you’re isolated. This could be for either short-term collaborations or long-term projects.
- Shared marketing efforts: Companies looking for collaboration in a coworking space can utilize the physical space to meet this goal. You can use bookable meeting rooms or flex spaces to co-host events, webinars, training sessions, or other initiatives that will increase exposure and brand reach.
- Increased productivity: The energetic and collaborative environment of a coworking space can boost morale and motivation, leading to increased productivity. Working alongside other driven professionals can be motivating to stay dedicated and work hard.
Collaboration in a coworking space is beneficial to individual professionals and the companies or organizations they lead or work for. The very design and nature of a coworking space allow you to connect with diverse professionals, leading to increased creativity, broader networks, resource sharing, and a host of other benefits.
If you’re in search of a positive professional workspace that helps you unlock your full potential, you’ll find it at The Post. Book a tour of The Post today.