What the Business Pros Know

7 Tips for Building Community Within Your Organization

February 12, 2024

Kristie Kopriva

In a time when traditional pillars of community like social clubs and neighborhood gatherings are less central in people’s lives, businesses have a unique opportunity and dare I say — obligation, to fill that role for their teams. As an executive assistant, part of my responsibility is to help foster a sense of community here at our firm and I want to share with you some ways to increase the impact on your team:

Embrace the Role of Community Hub

Shared Values and Vision: Cultivate a company culture that resonates with a shared sense of purpose, much like that found in traditional communities.

Inclusive Social Events: Plan and host events that are not purely business-focused, allowing team members to forge deeper connections.

Communicate with Compassion

Open Conversations: Encourage open-hearted dialogue that builds trust and a sense of belonging among team members.

Active Listening: Show genuine interest in the lives and well-being of your staff, actively acknowledging their contributions both in and out of the office.

Celebrate and Support

Recognition: Acknowledge personal milestones as well as professional achievements, reinforcing that every individual is valued beyond their work output.

Support Networks: Create systems for peer-to-peer support, mentorship, and collaboration that mirror the mutual aid found in traditional communities.

Lead with Purpose and Empathy

Lead by Example: Live out the values of community and empathy, inspiring your team to do the same.

Empathy in Action: Understand the challenges your team faces outside of work and be prepared to offer flexibility and support.

In this new age, let’s redefine the workplace as a source of community, unity, and shared purpose. It’s time to build organizations that not only succeed in business but also enrich the lives of their members, fostering a sense of belonging that many yearn for. You may not have a staff member dedicated to this role at your business, but the job is important nonetheless and can be infused in small ways to create huge impact on the lives of those at your workplace.

As the executive assistant, Kristie is integral to the effectiveness of the organization, serving as the right hand person to the partners and the team, to ensure smooth operation of day-to-day activities and also social and community events.