5 Ways to Start Building a Community

photo by ilco

Building a community in any company can prove challenging. Few people have the personality necessary to build the strong network needed to thrive in the corporate environment.

If yours is a company in need of teamwork, camaraderie, and community, it is your job as a leader to help foster those relationships. And I’m not just talking to those of you who are HR directors, or managers of 10-person teams; I’m talking to all of you, as leaders, to step up and do what’s needed, whether it’s in your job description or not.

Building a community isn’t hard to do–people are looking for an excuse to connect with those around them. All you have to do is provide them the excuse.

5 Ways to Build a Community at Work

Building a community at work is deceptively easy. All it takes is one person to stand-up and soon you’ll have a whole company of Spartacus’. While there are countless ways to bring your fellow co-workers together, below are five that are easy and (mostly) free.

1. Speed Networking Event – Take the concept of speed dating and apply it to work; love connections optional.
   MORE: How to Host a Speed-Networking Event
2. Lunch Bunch Lunches – Encourage employees to Never Eat Alone and organize some lunches.
   MORE: Build a Community by Starting a Lunch Bunch
3. People Trivia – Collect interesting personal facts and then quiz the community on who does what.
   MORE: People Trivia: A Fun Team-Building Exercise
4. Talent Show – Showcase your office’s talent; Simon Cowell not included.
   MORE: How to Host a Work Talent Show
5. Photo Contest – Capture people’s attention and use personal pictures to get a snapshot of your entire organization.
   MORE: Team-Building Through 3 Pictures

What Are You Waiting For?

Now you have five quick ideas, so like in the movie I Know What You Did Last Summer, I ask “What are you waiting for?”

Have your own community building ideas or have a question? Leave it in the comments.