Conditioned by evolution, humans have worked in groups for centuries. This helped them survive harsh living conditions and, eventually, led to the creation of strong social bonds. On a professional front, working with our peers aid us in our career journey. But that isn’t restricted to functioning in teams. A community at workplace has significant effects on our lives. Being a member of the workplace community raises employee engagement and gives them a sense of belonging, making their time at the office much more comfortable. A community helps employees build a positive work environment, create meaningful relationships, and promote individual growth.
McClelland’s Human Motivation theory can better explain the phenomenon of a workplace community. The theory is an extension of the famous Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In his book “The Achieving Society,” published in 1961, David McClelland identified three motivators that people have, namely
- a need for achievement
- a need for affiliation
- a need for power
Speaking of a need for affiliation, the consensus is that employees want to belong to the group and favour collaboration over competition. They need a place that lets them WorkWell, as well as lets them grow and learn from others in a positive atmosphere. And according to a study published by SSRN, Building a positive workplace community can also aid the company’s success, as happy employees are more productive and creative.
Teamwork at Max Estates
The Positives of Community for the Company
According to a report by ResearchGate, workplace stress negatively impacts productivity, employee engagement, and the daily functioning of the office. A healthy team, void of work-related stress, works like a well-oiled machine, making tasks easier to complete and taking the work to a new level of efficiency. A good way to reduce workplace stress is by building a strong workplace community.
A community also makes way for healthy competition, allowing employees to grow and helping them strive towards better performance from not only themselves but also from their colleagues. They feel supported and motivated, helping them get better, not just individually but as a team, too.
Happiness is multipliable. When employees see a teammate cheerful, they also feel better and happier. A community helps extend the reach of this phenomenon from a desk to the whole office. A workplace community acts as a hub where employees can satisfy their need for a sense of belonging and create meaningful connections in the office.
Community meet at Max Towers
Integrating Office Design and Community Building
Building a community at the workplace helps employees cope with mental health problems. Social interactions and encouragement from fellow team members ease workplace stress, creating a more positive environment.
A community can be both an intangible concept and a physical location in the office. Office design plays an important role in strengthening the community of employees. The psychological impact of the colours of the walls and different design elements, the short conversations near the water cooler, and the catch-ups in the cafeterias contribute towards building the workplace community. But office designs have evolved significantly, especially with Gen Z now filling up the office.
Employees nowadays require a place or section in the office where they can relax, hold impromptu meetings and participate in conversations with colleagues. In addition to cafeterias and open floor plans, offices should incorporate spaces such as lounges, which can prevent crowding and can help employees stay comfortable while building office relationships.
WorkWell Suite at Max House
But to build an effective community, simply talking is not enough. Employees need more inclusive activities to connect with their peers. For example, Max Estates regularly organizes events like workshops, seminars, and film screenings through a dedicated vertical called Pulse, which help create an ambient environment for employees to develop and bolster their bonds. Apart from these activities, sports tournaments also act as a method of improving team coordination and strengthening connections. At Max Estates, we arrange regular sports activities ranging from cricket and badminton to table tennis and carrom. Sports rejuvenate employees physically and mentally, relieving stress and promoting a fun and positive workplace environment.
Indoor sports court at Max Tower
With most companies going for a hybrid approach after the pandemic, the question arises, can you build a community in a hybrid setting? A community is a versatile concept. All the company has to do is give a stage for it, be it physical or virtual. When some employees work remotely, and some operate onsite, messaging apps like Slack and Microsoft Teams can help both places connect. These apps not only help employees coordinate while working but also help them socialize during office hours.
Having a well-established workplace community helps employees find like-minded people and help them WorkWell in the office by strengthening their bonds with a unique, versatile, and comfortable office design that works to create a positive work environment.
Workplaces like Max Estates try to make the office as lively as possible for the employees without compromising growth for the company. The primary goal? To raise morale and employee engagement and help them feel truly well. With all our establishments following the philosophy of WorkWell, we create an atmosphere of prosperity and happiness where employees can come up with one-of-a-kind results that drive company success.
