In a recent episode of Coworking Convos, hosted by the ever-warm Cat Johnson from The Lab, several industry leaders opened their hearts to share their best strategies for building vibrant and engaged coworking communities. The discussion included heartfelt insights from Carlito Smith of Hunt Street Station, Anne Kirby from The Candy Factory, Melanie Cozzolino from Cowork Kingston, and Geoff Wood from Gravitate Coworking.
Here are the highlights from each speaker, emphasizing their unique, human-centered approaches and experiences in fostering community within their coworking spaces.
See people beyond the transactions
Carlito Smith brought a refreshing perspective on the importance of perceiving people as more than just paying members. Smith, who manages Hunt Street Station in Detroit, passionately spoke about how community building starts with how we see and value people.
- Value and Respect: Treat members with inherent worth, beyond their financial contribution.
- Empathy: Understand that everyone has their bad days and approach interactions with patience and kindness.
- Personal Experiences: Reflect on the freedom and joy found in online communities during COVID-19 and find ways to incorporate those feelings into everyday coworking experiences.
- Self-Reflection: Continuously ask yourself how you perceive and treat members, especially during challenging times.
Facilitate connections and reciprocal support
Anne Kirby from The Candy Factory in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, shared her wisdom on fostering connections and encouraging reciprocal support among members. With over 14 years of experience, Kirby highlighted the essential elements of building a sense of belonging:
- Good Listening: Start by understanding members’ needs and interests from day one. Personalized tours and heartfelt sit-downs help in identifying if your space is the right fit for them.
- Buddy System: Pair new members with existing ones to facilitate quicker integration and connection.
- Member Engagement: Host lunch meetings and other intimate events to continuously learn about members' needs and interests.
- Evolving Resources: Adapt and evolve your space and events based on feedback and observed member needs.
- Engagement Opportunities: Offer multiple ways for members to engage, such as coffee clubs, walk-and-talks, and various interest-based clubs (e.g., sustainability, wellness, board games).
Partnerships and emotional intelligence
Melanie Cozzolino of Cowork Kingston in Hudson Valley, New York, shared her heartfelt approach to leveraging partnerships and leading with emotional intelligence (EQ) to build a supportive community:
- Partnerships: Collaborate with local universities, art schools, and other organizations to host events and exhibits. This helps in extending the community beyond the coworking space’s physical walls.
- Supportive Environment: Create a welcoming atmosphere where members feel valued and understood. Trust and empathy are crucial, especially in times of stress or crisis.
- Extended Community: Offer free day passes and host events that allow transient members to experience the community, fostering long-term connections and referrals.
- Flexibility and Support: Be adaptable and responsive to members’ needs, ensuring they feel comfortable and supported in the space.
Think of your space as a platform
Geoff Wood from Gravitate Coworking shared his heartfelt belief in viewing coworking spaces as platforms for members to organically build their communities. Operating in multiple locations, Wood highlighted the importance of flexibility and member-driven events:
- Event Diversity: Offer a range of events tailored to different community dynamics, such as potlucks in suburban locations and Slack-based interactions in urban spaces.
- Member-Led Initiatives: Encourage members to organize their events and activities, such as the popular “Mug Club” or “Pretzel Day.”
- Platform Mindset: Focus on providing the infrastructure and environment for members to naturally connect and build their communities.
- Long-Term Engagement: Understand that community building is a long-term effort, and be prepared to adapt and support evolving member needs over time.
This episode of Coworking Convos underscored that successful community building in coworking spaces requires a blend of empathy, active listening, strategic partnerships, and member empowerment.
By treating members with respect, facilitating meaningful connections, leveraging local partnerships, and providing a flexible platform, coworking managers can foster vibrant and sustainable communities. This heartfelt approach ensures that every member feels valued, supported, and truly part of a community.
Coworking Convos is a monthly virtual event series hosted by Cat Johnson, and which recently passed its 50th episode! In each conversation, a different topic is presented by guests with real experience, who are subject matter experts and walk the walk in the coworking and flex space industry.
Coworks is a sponsor of Coworking Convos, and we have the privilege of sharing these dispatches afterward — spotlighting the juicy tidbits and powerful takeaways shared in the hour-long conversation.
But by no means does this replace the real value of being there! Check out the next Convo and be in the room when it happens.