3 Workplace Community Trends to Know About in 2022
2022 is here! Here are 3 workplace community trends you should know about.
1. Virtual spaces are the default for member connection.
With each passing day, we’re getting further away from “when we get back to office…” and closer to “virtual is the status quo”. COVID-19 eliminated the possibility of in-person meetings and Zoom (among other video conferencing hosts) benefited, making a hell of an entrance.
You might be eager to start planning in-person experiences for your members, however investing in “surprise & delight” virtual connection moments for your members might have a more significant impact in the short term. With the virtual reality and augmented reality markets expected to grow to nearly $600 billion by 2025, according to industry research, it’s a no-brainer that our community strategies should pay special attention to the virtual experience of its members.
Here are a few ideas to get you started, courtesy of our Cultivators Community Manager, Lisa Barroca:
Try something new: If you’re already using an online meetup tool, try branching out. While Zoom and Google Meet may be the go-to, platforms like Toucan and Bramble can provide some variety and new ways to connect.
Be a thoughtful facilitator: Not everyone feels empowered to speak in a video call. When holding meetings for your community, practice holding space for silence to give less extroverted members a chance to speak up, and encouraging use of chat. It’s okay if this feels awkward at first!
Create meaningful virtual rituals: Take the time to plan touchpoints for your members that connect to your values, create new opportunities for connection, and work in a virtual context. (Not sure where to start? Try this worksheet!)
2. Workplace communities are impacting top-down change.
A great example is taking a look at how affinity groups or Employee Resource Groups are influencing organizations in substantial ways. In 2022, watch out for companies fostering a public-facing relationship between their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) goals and their organizational goals.
This alignment is way overdue! According to Deloitte, the growing ripple effect concerning social and racial injustice is bringing notable attention to an organization’s DE&I efforts and outcomes.
Take a look at Nike, for example. They recently laid out a five-year roadmap to create a more diverse and inclusive workforce. For the first time, Nike is tying executive compensation to the company making progress on this DE&I goal. This is the energy we are expecting to see more of this year. 👏👏👏
3. Workplace communities are creating a greater sense of belonging at work
“Community” and “sense of belonging” are singing the same song, in harmony. Sounds nice, doesn’t it? In 2022, workplace communities will continue to break down silos, create space for authentic connection, and ensure that their community members feel a part of something bigger than themselves.
One of our favorite stories signifying the importance of belonging is about a workplace community at Hallmark. This group reflected on the fact that there weren’t many, if any, greeting cards at the store that served the kinds of moments & celebrations that they wanted to commemorate with family and friends. Driven by their community’s purpose and value, the group was a driving force for bringing a whole new set of cultural celebration greeting cards to the market.
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If this resonates with you as a workplace community leader, it might be the perfect time to invest in your own professional development. We created a 6-week cohort-based online course called the Community Accelerator, designed to help leaders like you build thriving communities, create lasting impact, and drive positive change within their organizations. We run this program twice a year & have alumni from incredible, global organizations like Takeda Pharmaceuticals, Alcon, LinkedIn, Google, YouTube, Medtronic, and more. We’d love for you to join us.
Share your ideas. Solve problems. Make a difference.
We’re building a community where your voice is heard, solutions are shared, and changemakers around the world can mobilize for change. If you are passionate about change, culture, and innovation, this is the place for you.
