Developing a community

There is no clear winner in the 'what makes a good workplace community?' stakes. Rather, it seems to be a combination of having the right mix of people with a space they can congregate and feel comfortable in. In-person events seem to be favoured over virtual events.

Where smaller organisations have geographically dispersed teams, there will always be two levels of community—one at a local (office) level and one at an organisational level. The two have to work hand in hand as there needs to be an over-arching culture (with some room for local influences to permeate).

Reading some of the corresponding free text comments relating to this question, there are those who feel that a community can only be built through having people in the same physical space.

There are numerous organisations globally who have a 'remote first' approach and who have been extremely successful at creating a (virtual) community—it requires ingenuity and new ways of developing relationships, but is not impossible.

31. Community building factors

wellbeing / community group available budget diversity right type of physical space virtual team building experiences regular team meetings in-person social events collaborative projects engaged and passionate employees considering team dynamic when recruiting

Free Text Comments

“It is important to maintain a culture in the business which is collaborative and innovative. This is only possible by recruiting the right people and providing the right tools and working environment.”

“I believe people used to take their workspace for granted, not coming into an office has made people realise there is a real social element to meeting up with colleagues, for many working from home was a very lonely experience.”

"We have remodelled our office to encourage a greater one-team approach; increased collaborative working. We have also established a social committee which has encouraged and arranged increased social / charity events etc."