It is a known fact that coworking spaces are becoming one of the trending hotspots to work at. Aside from it being a place dedicated to talented people who work with the same focus, drive, and goal-oriented mindset, it is also a venue where you can work in a professional environment just like when you’re in an office. On the other hand, it establishes its edge among other places to work comfortably with minimal distractions.
Although coworking spaces are open for membership for anyone—freelancers, employees, remote workers, teams, and/or companies—there are still rules and regulations the establishment implements for it to be a harmonious working environment. And with that being said, we will share with you in this blog some tips for you to be professional while coworking.
Coworking Etiquette Matters
More than just being a place for people to work or do their business, coworking has also the potential to be a pool of people with talents. If you are a business owner or even just a co-worker looking to expand your business, coworking spaces would be an ideal place for you to showcase your skills and expand your network. And by being a professional fellow coworker, building a network here could help you big time.
Being a considerate coworker, you’re not just helping yourself but also other coworkers to have a good working environment. This is why there are rules that you need to follow while coworking since you’re sharing a space with them.
Things You MUST NOT DO When Coworking
Being A Loner
Being a lone wolf—in some instances—has its benefits… but that’s not always the case though. Just like when you’re coworking, being alone is not really advisable. Sure, there are maybe confidential files from your work that you want to protect which is understandable. However, it’s still not a reason for you to just be by yourself always in a coworking space.
Do not miss out on the opportunities where you can interact, communicate, socialize, make friends, and expand your network. These opportunities are part of the coworking culture because coworking spaces are small communities just like in the outside world where you can build good relationships with people who can help you out when you need it.
When you isolate yourself, you lose out on the chance to grow personally and professionally.
Being Loud
Mind your voice, your music, and the way you handle your work. While socializing is important in the coworking space, you should be considerate of others. While you may be taking a break and having fun chatting with fellow coworkers, you should not forget that other coworkers don’t have the same workflow as you do. Let them work in peace, so you can also work smoothly.
If you want to have some music while working, please use headphones or earphones so you won’t disturb others. Some music might be relaxing for you and keep you focused at work, but not for others. If the coworking space has background music playing for the entire space—which can possibly happen—you can always raise your concern to the management if it’s not helping you. Otherwise, you can always use headphones or earphones.
Inappropriately Using Conference And Meeting Rooms
While being a member of the coworking space, you have the perks to use the conference and meeting rooms—depending on the tier level—when you need them. However, for you to do so, it should be booked for reservation first rather than just going in whenever you want to. Thus, there’s always a limit on how long it can be used in order to accommodate fellow coworkers who are also booked for the usage of the rooms.
Do not insist on using the conference and meeting rooms for a long time or ask for unreserved extensions because it’s very unprofessional. Also, use the equipment in there with care and avoid it from damage. Otherwise, you’ll be fined or in the worst-case scenario have your membership revoked. Make sure to understand the rules and regulations being implemented not just for the conference and meeting rooms but also for the entire coworking space.
Join Only When You’ve Already Sorted Everything Out
Sometimes, others join the coworking space out of fear to miss out on opportunities. However, if you’re still unsure of the direction of your business, it’s much better to attend to it first. This is because if you just joined and all you can do is have sales pitches and personal announcements without a concrete plan, you’ll be at a disadvantage as you’ll be missing out on the best possible business opportunities that you can get. This is important when you’re trying to build a network.
Always remember that fellow coworkers also have limited time that they can spend as they also need to focus on their own businesses.
Be The Center Of Attention
Be a good group member of the coworking space. Always remember that the coworking space also serves as a community within which is why you and the fellow coworkers can work as a team like supporting each other’s events, helping each other, collaborating, and sharing knowledge.
Avoid bringing your personal drama in the coworking space instead of working. Don’t be “that person” who always wants to be the center of attention and become infamous because you’re not in a competition. Be humble and approachable instead of being impolite, talkative, and won’t take a hint from fellow coworkers.
Leave Your Mess
Whether you are sharing a table or have a dedicated desk, always make it a habit to “clean as you go” person in respect to the place. The same applies to common areas so that you won’t bother fellow coworkers and give a bad impression. Although there are housekeepers dedicated to cleaning the coworking space, it is still best practice to be responsible for your clutter and messes.
In Conclusion
Having a coworking space that you can be part of is already a privilege because you have a place where you can do your work. Although you pay a membership fee to use the coworking space as you wish, there are still responsibilities that you have to own and rules to follow as a fellow who uses the space.
Be considerate with others who also try to be professional and keep the coworking space a good working environment for everyone. The key is to have proper etiquette and act how you want others to treat you.