The technological revolution of the past three decades, combined with the recent social changes brought on by the pandemic, has enabled us to stay physically apart from people. But the good news is that we can still feel connected and part of a community.
And let’s face it, working from home did sound like a dream. You save time and the hassle of commuting; you work from a curated, comfortable setup, and your comfort space is never too far away.
However, in recent times, the allure has worn off for many of us. Now we feel that our work life has encroached on the time and space that were supposed to be personal and carefree.
But, for many of us, office environments are now too complex to bear. It’s the hassle of commuting, the less-than-optimal workspace, and the expectation of being somewhere specific every day that is too overbearing. This is where the concept of coworking spaces comes into play, the best solution in this situation.
How can Coworking Spaces Help?
Coworking spaces are now feeling like the best of both worlds. And with a bird’s-eye view, it seems like a no-brainer. The commute is usually easier and allows you to use a more active mode of transport to travel; the solution to the isolation and separation aspect is also apparent.
These offices offer better amenities than most work-from-home or work-from-office setups and are also well-maintained. In addition to these tangible aspects, these spaces are also beneficial in building professional identities.
Professional Identity in Remote Work
While remote work has revolutionised how we work, it has not been without significant cost. It leads to people not being able to assign enough worth to the work they do, thereby deriving insufficient validation from it and considering it a part of their life’s purpose.
It has also harmed people’s understanding of professional cues and their ability to understand a professional environment.
Feeling important and generally good has an enormous impact on a person’s self-esteem and the standards they hold themselves to. And that is precisely what a professional identity is: a minimum standard to which people hold themselves accountable, the quality work they feel responsible for and the impact they strive to make.
The Importance of Community and Coworking Spaces
One of the most fundamental conclusions from years of human evolution is that individuals are driven by a sense of community. The validation from other individuals and the perception of belonging and prestige have been proven to be the most effective catalysts of all and are a more potent driving force than money.
Excelling at work while working remotely requires individuals to find motivation from outside their immediate community, which is increasingly complex for most people.
Coworking spaces help people identify with a community and network with them. It raises the bar for everyone and reinforces a person’s professional drive and ambition. Here’s how these coworking spaces can affect employees:
1. Visible Validation
In a home office, there is no one to bounce ideas off, and no one to share the tiniest reservations one may have, or to brag about a small thing you’ve achieved or that went your way.
Coworking spaces, and specifically their communal areas, help you share the small burdens and celebrate the small joys with like-minded professionals.
A simple high five and an invested sympathetic ear are always more valuable than they seem. Building on such small wins daily greatly increases a professional’s self-worth and drive.
2. Structure Without Rigidity
The flexibility of working from our comfort zones obviously triumphs over the explicit and implicit rigidity of working from the office. However, the complete loss of structure takes productivity away from an employee.
Professionals are now increasingly choosing a structure of their choice, which allows them to be flexible without losing focus or routine. The deadline for completing work before leaving is a valuable boundary to have. It allows for small workplace rituals like arriving at your desk and going to others’, taking short breaks and reinforcing the work feeling that is lacking at home.
This work structure and routine are vital for a professional, as these learned behaviours improve responsibility. They also allow individuals to always feel that they can be more productive and not overwhelmed by their work.
3. Workplace Amenities
Small perks and facilities, such as coffee machines, mini cafeterias, quiet pods, and printing and copying stations that work with your access cards, are part of the identity of a workplace.
Having instant access to these resources without needing to think about them contributes to a positive workplace culture. It also psychologically reinforces the idea that work is meaningful and that the person doing it is a professional worthy of investment.
Moreover, feeling valued adds to an individual’s list of wins. It helps employees reflect that they bring value to the work they do for clients and companies alike.
4. Networking and Growth
A coworking space enables professionals to connect with like-minded individuals or those with innovative ideas. This results in broadening your horizons beyond your specific job role.
Interacting with individuals can lead to better insights that improve how you perform, perceive things, and plan your strategy.
Focusing on this exposure and immersing oneself in such an environment enriches one’s professional self. Through this cross-functional interaction, you may develop a new idea that drives your career and the company forward.
5. Impact on External Stakeholders
Where a profession requires you to interact with external stakeholders, such as customers, clients, and investors, whether current or prospective, the effort and decision to invest in your professional work really matter.
Working in a coworking space may not significantly impact the actual value of the product. Still, it significantly affects the perceived value of the products you sell or the services you provide.
Conclusion
Investing in one’s profession to gain access to non-essential amenities and environments enables employees to project the success they aspire to achieve.
In Canada, expert office providers like Zemlar Offices have strived to create an environment that adds significant value for several employees and is backed by vast research and feedback. It has also been proven that when corporations or other companies subsidise and compensate their employees to access such an impressive range of facilities, they improve productivity, satisfaction, and turnover.
