Makaila Kelso: The Power of Workplace Community: Boosting Engagement and Productivity

Work is undeniably more enjoyable when there is a sense of community. A supportive community makes employees feel like they are part of something larger than themselves, fostering a sense of belonging that leads to greater commitment.

Beyond enhancing job satisfaction, a strong sense of community can also boost productivity. Connection breeds empathy, which improves collaboration and understanding among team members. As a result, employees are generally more satisfied and engaged with their work.

However, the lack of connection can have serious consequences. According to the Harvard Business Review, “lonelier workers report lower job satisfaction, fewer promotions, more frequent job switching and a higher likelihood of quitting their current job in the next six months. Lonelier employees also tend to perform worse.”

For those who prefer a qualitative approach, consider the direct cost implications. Turnover, low productivity and poor performance can significantly impact your bottom line.

How to Get Started

First, assess your current situation. Check in with your team, send anonymous surveys and observe the existing atmosphere. Once you understand where you are and where you want to be, you can create a plan. If you have a lot of work ahead of you and need more resources, consider hiring consultants or tapping into tools designed to help build connections. Also, remember to be mindful of generational and cultural differences, as not all activities appeal to every team member.

Tips for Fostering Connection

1. Lead with empathy: Connection is felt, not told.
2. Be curious about your team members: Listening to and learning about what’s important to them can uncover shared interests and foster connections.
3. Promote individual expression: Allow team members to be authentic, opening the door for genuine relationships.
4. Engage with the local community: Organize team volunteer days, partner with organizations your company cares about and support local businesses. For example, Kiln offers local Kombucha on tap in member kitchens and partners with local bakeries, restaurants and businesses.

Consider Leveraging Coworking Spaces

Have you thought about using a coworking space? Coworking environments offer excellent opportunities for team collaboration and community building. Depending on your team’s needs, a coworking space might enhance and support your organization’s community-building efforts. If you need a few ideas on fostering company culture in a coworking space, check out this article from Kiln.

Examples in Action

One practice I find particularly effective is our team’s tradition of sharing lunch. Despite our busy schedules, we make time for this daily ritual and even save a plate for anyone who can’t join us.

Local business owner Jeremy Andrus also embraced the idea of communal meals to rebuild Traeger’s culture. They cook breakfast together on Mondays and lunch from Tuesday to Friday. After implementing these changes, Andrus said, “Traeger Grills employees rated the culture a nine out of 10 on average, with 91% reporting a feeling of connection to the company’s vision, mission and values.”

Remote Work Challenges

Creating connections can be challenging for remote teams. While many value flexibility, they still want to feel connected. Numerous articles offer creative solutions for building connections remotely. If you need some recommendations, check out this article from Gomada on how to make remote employees feel connected. 

Conclusion

Regardless of your starting point, the best way to build connection and community is to begin. Prioritizing these efforts within your company culture will allow you to see some results quickly, while others will take time. If you need inspiration, please contact me and we can set up a time to brainstorm and work to create connected workplace communities.