Why People Thrive In Coworking Spaces

Why People Thrive In Coworking Spaces
General view of the Kansas City bureau of the Associated Press. In the foreground is the East desk. Next is the Coast desk, then the State desks and in the background the Local desk, April 22, 1940 (AP Photo/AP Corporate Archives)
General view of the Kansas City bureau of the Associated Press. In the foreground is the East desk. Next is the Coast desk, then the State desks and in the background the Local desk, April 22, 1940 (AP Photo/AP Corporate Archives)

There seems to be something special about coworking spaces. As researchers who have, for years, studied how employees thrive, we were surprised to discover that people who belong to them report levels of thriving that approach an average of 6 on a 7-point scale. This is at least a point higher than the average for employees who do their jobs in regular offices, and something so unheard of that we had to look at the data again.

It checked out. So we were curious: What makes coworking spaces – defined as membership-based workspaces where diverse groups of freelancers, remote workers, and other independent professionals work together in a shared, communal setting – so effective? And are there lessons for more traditional offices?

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