Managing a Team in a Coworking Space: Our Top Tips
If you’re a manager, it is important to know the different dynamics and challenges of managing a team in a coworking space. For starters, there are usually more people than normal working in close quarters, leading to tension if not managed properly.
Additionally, remote workers may feel isolated or left out if they’re not physically present in the office. So, it is crucial to create an environment where everyone feels connected and productive. In this blog post, we’ll give you some tips to address these issues as we look at managing a team in a coworking space. Let’s get started!
Establish Clear Communication Protocols
One of the most important things you can do when managing a team in a coworking space is establish clear communication protocols to ensure everyone is on the same page. This can include outlining expectations and scheduling group meetings or check-ins.
This means you should explain to your team how to communicate with each other and with any remote workers. This includes setting expectations for email, messaging and video conferencing communications.
Build Team Cohesion
Invest in team-building activities that foster communication and collaboration. These can help to create a camaraderie spirit among your co-working members, even if they are located in different physical locations.
For example, you can ask them to share stories and experiences, plan team-building activities or even host virtual happy hours where some team members can join from remote locations.
Prioritize Organization
Establish an organizational system to help everyone on your team stay on track and productive. This could include using project management software, setting up a filing system, or creating a central communication hub for all notes, documents, and ideas.
Make sure everyone knows any deadlines and tasks that need to be completed so that everything gets noticed. You can also use project management tools like Trello or Asana to help track project progress and keep everyone up-to-date with what’s happening in the business.
Encourage Collaboration and Teamwork
Encourage team members to share ideas and help each other out to get things done faster and more efficiently. This could be as simple as having an open discussion, brainstorming session over video chat, or assigning specific tasks to individuals requiring collaboration.
For best results, make sure everyone knows their responsibilities to ensure the whole group succeeds together.
Foster a Productive and Positive Working Environment
At times, there can be a lot of distractions around in a coworking environment. So, create an environment that encourages productivity. This includes providing comfortable workspaces, access to necessary tools and resources, and encouraging a culture of open communication and collaboration.
While productivity is important, you also want an environment that encourages positivity. Create a positive working environment by recognizing and celebrating achievements, encouraging open communication, and showing respect for each team member to create a pleasant environment.
Monitor Progress and Adjust Strategies Accordingly
Regularly monitor the progress of your team and adjust strategies as necessary. This will help you to ensure that the team is on track with their goals and projects and can also help identify any potential issues or challenges that may arise.
By being proactive about monitoring progress, you can avoid any problems that may occur along the way. You may even be able to come up with new strategies that work even better for your team.
The Bottom Line
Working in a co-working space can be a great way to build community and collaborate with other businesses. However, it’s important to know how to manage your team effectively in this type of environment. Hopefully the above tips will help you do just that. Good luck!
Still looking for the right coworking space for your business? We can help with that! Learn more about our workspaces at La Collective Cowork here.
Top Tips for Introverts in Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular, especially for introverts who want to work on their terms. However, not all coworking spaces are created equal. Some of them go out of their way to cater to introverts, while others don’t consider the needs of their quieter members. If you’re thinking about joining a coworking space but aren’t sure how it will play out for your personality type, here are some of our top tips for introverts in coworking spaces.
Pick the Right Seat
To pick the best seat in a coworking space, it’s helpful to consider what you want from your location. If you’re an introvert and like to have some quiet time or prefer not to be in the middle of things, then you may want to avoid sitting in the middle of a table. While chatting with others while working might be nice for extroverts, you may be more comfortable if you could find a more isolated seat somewhere. Some coworking spaces will offer individual desks and quiet areas, so you may want to seek those out.
Make Friends
If you can, try and make friends with people who are also introverts. They may be a little easier to talk to and get along with than some of the coworking space’s more outgoing members. If you’re looking for a more low-key office vibe, ask if there are other quieter activities or events that people in your office like to attend.
Ask the other introverts in your group to help you with introductions and small talk. This is where having an established community can help! Tell them what topics interest you and ask if they have any suggestions for groups or clubs that could be suitable matches for you.
Choose a Quiet Location
It might sound like a good idea to sit near the kitchen where you can get up and get what you need quickly and easily. However, this is one of the worst places to sit as an introvert because of all the people coming in and out of the kitchen all day. It can be quite the noisy and social place, so you may want to choose a quiet location with fewer social opportunities.
Take “Me Time” Breaks
In an introvert-friendly environment, you should be able to get up from your desk and go for a walk or use the bathroom as an excuse to get away from the group without being frowned upon. Use a free conference room for some quiet time alone if no other spaces are available. This can give you a chance to recharge your batteries and return refreshed before getting back into the mix of things again with renewed energy and focus on what’s important in front of you at that moment in time.
Conclusion
If you’re an introvert who works in a coworking space, keep these suggestions in mind to make your workday more pleasant and efficient. And don’t forget that there is nothing wrong with being an introvert – embrace your personality and use it to your advantage! You might be surprised at what you can accomplish in your career.
Still looking for that perfect workspace? See what La Collective Cowork has to offer here.