Crafting Successful Co-Working Communities: Insights from Mark Shaw's Journey
What does a successfully crafted co-working community look like?
Coming together to work on separate projects, or co-working, has origins going back to the early 2000s. Coming together for camaraderie and connection digitally or in person has been a core part of Mark Shaw's career.
After years in the coworking world, Mark has more recently split his time between leading Communication and Community at TEDxStockholm and his full-time job with Star Stable Entertainment, where he was the channel, community and moderation manager. Nowadays, he is focused on consulting projects, helping companies understand, grow, and communicate authentically with their communities.
Todd Nilson was joined by Mark Shaw in an episode of Talk About Your Community to discuss his expertise in merging creativity and collaboration in community spaces. Together, they covered his experiences building co-working spaces, the contributing success factors, and more!
About Mark Shaw
Mark Shaw's life and career are woven together by the threads of community, creativity, and communication. Hailing from Minneapolis and having traversed Chicago and NYC, Mark settled in Stockholm in 2012. With roots in the indie music scene, he transitioned into various roles, from contributing to a community-focused guitar store to shaping policies at Etsy, leading community and marketing at a coworking startup, and most recently, heading the Social Media, Community, and Moderation team for a game with an ardent fanbase. Mark thrives when collaborating with vibrant individuals to have fun building and nurturing mission-inspired communities.
Show Notes
The Role of Co-Working Spaces in Fostering Community (0:01): Co-working spaces serve as hubs where individuals from diverse backgrounds converge, fostering a sense of community through shared goals, collaboration, and mutual support. Through experiences in co-working environments, individuals develop meaningful connections, gain insights, and leverage collective resources, contributing to personal and professional growth.
Challenges of Fostering Engagement in Digital Co-Working Communities (14:24): Engaging top community members in digital co-working spaces presents challenges, as not all members may be inclined to participate in online interactions. Designing physical co-working spaces involves creating gravitational points where members naturally converge, akin to the communal atmosphere of a kitchen. Understanding the social intentions behind each space is crucial for crafting environments that encourage interaction and collaboration among members.
Challenges and Opportunities in Co-Working Space Dynamics (35:54): Co-working spaces present challenges in fostering meaningful interactions due to the diverse reasons individuals and companies utilize these spaces. From solo entrepreneurs seeking networking opportunities to rapidly scaling startups, navigating the varying levels of engagement and investment in community building is essential.
Navigating Challenges and Chaos in Co-Working Spaces(42:49): Operating co-working spaces involves managing unpredictable situations, from physical safety concerns like fire alarms to cultural clashes among diverse occupants. Effective community management requires addressing conflicts and accommodating diverse needs, including ensuring accessibility for neurodiverse individuals. Building safe and inclusive environments, both physical and digital, fosters connection and belonging.
Deescalation and Conflict Resolution in Co-Working Spaces (50:15): Managing conflicts in co-working spaces requires effective deescalation strategies, emphasizing understanding over ego and rule enforcement. While guidelines are essential, tactful deescalation and fostering mutual understanding are crucial for maintaining a safe and inclusive environment. Community managers should prioritize conflict resolution skills and aim to address grievances positively, even when resolutions may not fully satisfy all parties involved.
