How I Learned That Beautiful Offices Aren’t Enough

My introduction to the coworking industry has been a little unconventional. My career path until my job with Lucid Private Offices was almost entirely in the nonprofit sector, which let me work with great, driven people in less-than-stellar office settings. My interview took place in our Las Colinas location, and to say I was impressed when I stepped off the elevator would be an understatement. 

Nonprofits have a good relationship with their work, but given their line of work, they may not be able to ‘indulge’ in beautiful surroundings (be sure to check with us though!). But here was a place that clearly and immediately wanted to convey to the professional and the visitor that work is important, and that work is good. In the same way we stock our museums with timeless, priceless pieces and we adorn our churches with beautiful works of art, this was a company that adorned the workplace with a beauty that befits the importance that work is for the human soul.

Well, that was a couple of years ago. I can still see how beautiful our locations are (even more so with each new opening), but similar to how we get used to a new phone or a new car, it’s easy to get desensitized to it. What then? Does the beauty of a space still hold value? I would argue that it does, but I had an interview with one of our members at our West Plano / Willow Bend location that very adeptly put into words what really makes our workspaces stand out: the community that works in them.

“I love my wife more than I love working from my home office”

Watch the full interview with Mark Durante by clicking here

Meet Mark Durante from Rize Up Medical. Mark had worked from home for over 20 years, but after sharing his work life and his home life with his new wife, it became clear to him that he needed to find a great place to work so that their new marriage could continue on solid footing! A deep, booming voice on conference calls isn’t quite compatible with leisure time in nearby parts of the house. 

Mark ended up searching around for a good office and stumbled upon our recently opened West Plano location. While he was initially impressed by the modern feel of the office and the professionalism of his tour guide, Mandi, he admitted that as an extrovert, he was most attracted to the idea of being near people. After selecting an office near the coffee lounge, he set up shop and has, in his own words, felt more productive than ever.

The disconnect of virtual community

“There is a disconnect when it comes to the overall community,” Mark told me when I asked about his experience working remotely. “Everyone is trying to create community through social media. It’s not the same thing as being in person.”

Virtual Meeting - Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

This is a feeling that I knew very well when I started my position with Lucid Private Offices. When I was hired, I continued living and working out of a city that did not have one of our locations nearby as I prepared my family for a move. Although I worked at a small local coworking spot, I found that the community was mostly focused on working in their own offices. My job satisfaction at the time was almost directly tied with how often I was getting to meet, work, and socialize with my colleagues. I hadn’t realized how much I valued that aspect of my jobs in nonprofits. But here I was missing it while engaging in the convenience of remote work.

“An energy in your day that you can’t get from working at home”

We’re social creatures. While there are certainly projects and tasks that require head-down, uninterrupted work, I think we need that social interaction to refuel. Social media may fill that for short dopamine-giving bursts, but we don’t feel fulfilled with that. We need people. Without people, we tend to be restless.

Mark felt the same.  “I actually find that I’m more productive working from here than I was even from working at home. I feel like now that I’m in this community, I get to step out into the hallway, talk with friends, and I feel filled. Then I get back in there and get more active.”

There’s certainly a balance to socialization at the office. The most fruitful socializing may leave either or both parties with new connections or ideas. The average tenure at Lucid Private Offices is a little over 2 years, which is longer than the industry average. I think that’s in large part because the professionals that office with us are really serious about getting work done. And when they have a staff and community that is as driven as them, it’s inspiring. 

Takeaways

It was really inspiring getting to talk to Mark. If you skimmed this post and got down here, here’s what I gleaned from the interview:

• Beautiful workspaces matter: While their impact can be diminished over time, aesthetically pleasing offices communicate the importance of work and contribute to a positive atmosphere.

• Community is crucial: More than just a nice space, a strong sense of community is what truly makes a coworking space valuable. The importance of in-person connection cannot be overstated, particularly when you consider the disconnect of virtual communities.

• Coworking enhances productivity: Being around other professionals and having opportunities for social interaction can boost productivity and provide an energy that's lacking when working from home. 

• Balance is key: The most successful coworking spaces foster a balance between focused work and meaningful social interaction, leading to a more fulfilling and productive work experience. I think the longer tenure of members at Lucid Private Offices indicates they have struck this balance.