The Wave of Community: Redefining the Workplace

In 2019, just before the global upheaval brought on by COVID-19, I wrote an article on LinkedIn titled "The Need to Belong. " This piece introduced the idea that belonging was the next critical wave of workplace culture, a concept that I later expanded upon in my best-selling books, You Can Be Yourself Here: Your Pocketguide to Creating Inclusive Workplaces and Leadership is a Behavior, Not a Title: Your Pocketguide to Being a Leader Worth Following.

As the world grappled with unprecedented challenges, the importance of fostering inclusive environments where individuals feel a deep sense of belonging became even more evident. Our collective experiences during the pandemic have shifted perspectives, highlighting the vital role of connection and community in our personal and professional lives.

At Just Global , where I serve as Chief People Officer, we are not only making the correct turn at this intersection through our hybridized remote working approach, but we are also riding the crest of the Wave of Community. This new wave is not just about adapting to change but also about strategically evolving towards more human-centric, productive, and engaging work environments. It’s a story that we think is useful to share with current teammates, future teammates, customers, and the industry at large.

Today, we stand at a new intersection in workplace culture. The paradigmatic shifts created by COVID-19, the various global lockdowns between 2020 and 2022, and the recent emergence of companies enforcing in-office working after once celebrating the success of remote work have brought us to a pivotal moment. It is at this juncture that I conceive of the next evolution in workplace culture: The Wave of Community.

The Wave of Community

In the evolving landscape of the modern workplace, the need for community is emerging as the central pillar driving transformational change. The progressive workplace is no longer just a physical location where tasks are performed; it is a dynamic ecosystem that blends the best of both physical and virtual worlds. This new paradigm emphasizes hybrid working models, flexible hours, and ample opportunities for meaningful connections, recognizing that the essence of work extends beyond the traditional confines of an office.

The shift towards this new model is not merely a reaction to the global disruptions we've faced but a strategic evolution towards more human-centric, performance-focused, and engaging work environments. It acknowledges the diverse needs and preferences of the modern workforce and seeks to create a harmonious balance that fosters both individual well-being and organizational success. Grounded on three fundamental principles—hybridized work, flexible hours, and a strong sense of community—this approach redefines how we perceive and experience work.

Hybridized, Not Marginalized

The hybrid work model is no longer a mere trend but a cornerstone of the future workplace. This model harmonizes remote work with in-office presence, offering employees the autonomy to choose where they work best while ensuring they remain connected to the organizational culture and their colleagues. Companies that successfully implement hybrid work policies will create environments that encourage collaboration and learning when teams are in the office, while equipping employees with the tools and experiences they need to stay productive and engaged remotely.

Key to this balance is the idea that hybrid work should not lead to isolation. At Just Global, we have invested in AI-enhanced technology that supports seamless communication and collaboration. This includes advanced video conferencing tools like Teams for meetings, Zoom for more immersive sessions, and collaborative software platforms such as Slack for engaging, immediate written communication and unscheduled conversations. Additionally, virtual reality spaces can simulate in-person interactions, enhancing the remote experience.

An area that we’re turning our attention to is the reimagining of physical office spaces (or “hub locations” as we prefer to call them). Physical spaces should not just be places where people work from when they have social plans in the city in the evening. Instead, they should serve as learning centers that promote continuous development and innovation. These spaces should include open areas for brainstorming, quiet zones for focused work, and social spaces for casual interactions.

By leveraging multiple communication tools and platforms, companies can ensure that teammates stay connected in diverse ways, regardless of their location. This approach not only maintains productivity but also strengthens the sense of community and collaboration within the organization.

Flexible, Not Free-for-All

Flexibility in working hours is another critical aspect of the future workplace. The traditional 9-to-5 schedule is giving way to more fluid approaches that accommodate individual productivity rhythms and personal responsibilities. This flexibility can lead to increased job satisfaction, better work-life balance, and higher overall productivity.

However, flexibility must not translate to an always-on mentality. Clear boundaries need to be established to prevent burnout and ensure that employees can truly disconnect from work. Companies can achieve this by promoting a culture that respects personal time, encouraging teams and teammates to design their working days and weeks with intention, and leveraging asynchronous communication methods that allow team members to contribute at their own pace.

To enhance this sense of community, at Just Global we encourage practices like blocking time in diaries for exercise, caregiving, or focused work. Using Slack statuses can help manage expectations around response times, ensuring everyone is aware of when colleagues are available or need uninterrupted time. Being deliberate about communication channels—deciding what should be an email, what should be a quick chat IRL, and what should be a Slack message—helps avoid a sense of constant urgency.

Celebrating the whole human being and acknowledging the non-work aspects of people's lives is crucial. At Just Global, we are dedicated to recognizing and supporting roles such as parenting, caregiving, and personal interests through our various Just Community Groups, demonstrating an appreciation for employees beyond their professional contributions. This holistic approach nurtures a more inclusive, supportive, and engaged community.

Micro-Moments, Not Macro Moments

In the wave of community, small, consistent interactions often hold more value than grand gestures. These micro-moments—brief, meaningful exchanges—foster a culture of continuous engagement and support. Whether it's a quick check-in message, a shared article of interest, or a spontaneous virtual chat, these small acts contribute to a stronger sense of community and belonging.

Snackable and accessible online experiences are a key part of this for us at Just Global. We run monthly SPARK sessions—bite-sized thought leadership sessions that ignite curiosity and fuel creativity. ELEVATE (SPARK's younger sibling) are hour-long learning sessions that help Just Global teammates raise their game. Popular topics have been AI, Critical Thinking, and The Art of Giving and Receiving Feedback. The key to these sessions—from a fostering community point of view—is ensuring they are two-way and not broadcast; they get teammates around the world talking to each other and interacting with each other.

Remote Connection, Not At-Home Isolation

While remote work offers flexibility and autonomy, it can also lead to feelings of isolation if not managed properly. It's essential to create structures and opportunities that ensure remote teammates feel as connected and valued as their in-office counterparts. Regular virtual meetings, collaborative projects, and inclusive communication practices can help maintain strong connections and a unified team spirit. Moreover, remote work makes the already-critical role of managers (“People leave managers, not companies”) even more crucial. Managers are even more influential over the day-to-day experience of their reports in remote settings and must therefore be more thoughtful, intentional, and skillful than ever in their communication and management practices to create the conditions for teams to thrive.

We emphasize this point in EMPOWER (our bespoke management development learning experience) equipping our managers with the self- and other-awareness to communicate with care and thought, modeling our Just Global Values and Behaviors. Additionally, we are developing a Remote Connection Playbook with practical tips for creating conditions for teams to thrive in remote settings.

Work-Life Blend Over Mandatory Hours

In the evolving landscape of work, the concept of work-life balance is being redefined. Rather than striving for a perfect equilibrium, the idea of work-life blending offers a more realistic and empowering approach. This perspective acknowledges that work is not a separate entity from life but an integral part of it. At Just Global, we champion this philosophy, believing that the blending of work and life leads to a more fulfilling and productive experience.

Many of us have a strong connection between our identity and our work—our work is part of who we are, rather than just something we do. Observing the dedication and efforts of colleagues working tirelessly across different time zones has prompted us to reflect deeply on how we manage our time and prioritize our responsibilities. We recognize that the traditional 9-to-5 schedule is becoming obsolete in a world where new and emerging technologies allow us to work from virtually anywhere.

Balancing 168 hours in a week isn't about dividing them equally between work and not-work; it’s about becoming conscious of how we prioritize our time and make intentional choices. At Just Global, we encourage employees to design their working days and weeks with intention, ensuring that they can truly disconnect from work when needed. We promote a culture that respects personal time and leverages asynchronous communication, allowing team members to contribute at their own pace without feeling perpetually "on."

Our approach to work-life blend recognizes that employees are human beings and not human doings. By fostering an environment where people can manage their lives holistically, we empower teammates to harmoniously blend all aspects of their lives through our Flexible Working Mantrs - “Does it work for my clients? Does it work for my team? Does it work for me?”. This holistic approach enhances well-being and boosts productivity and innovation, creating a resilient and adaptable workforce.

In this context, the idea of mandatory working hours is replaced by a focus on personal agency. We trust our teams to manage their time effectively, prioritizing outcomes over rigid schedules. This shift towards work-life blending ensures that our employees feel valued, engaged, and in control of their work and personal lives, ultimately leading to a more motivated and cohesive community.

Blending does not come at the expense of boundaries, and at Just Global, we seek to create an environment where we can set and maintain boundaries organizationally and individually.

At an organizational level, one of the many aspects of our flexible environment is Flex Fridays, an opportunity to have time on your schedule to spend with friends and family, rest, or catch up on basic work tasks without the noise of a typical workday. By condensing their contracted hours, all teammates—while remaining “on-call” for emergencies—can take a day to themselves every other week.

This email footer—from a member of the Just Global C-Suite—is an elegant example of how they’re managing their own schedule flexibly while also giving teammates in the organization permission to do the same:

"Note: We enjoy a flexible working approach at Just Global. I’m sending this message now because it suits my preferred working pattern and I do not expect you to read, respond, or take action outside of your preferred working pattern."

Where Do We Go From Here?

At Just Global, we are proud to be at the forefront of this transformative journey towards fostering a true workplace community. Our hybridized approach to remote work, flexible hours, and dedication to creating meaningful connections are just the beginning. We have already implemented advanced technologies that support seamless communication and collaboration, redesigned our physical office spaces to enhance creativity and teamwork, and cultivated a culture that values both in-person and virtual interactions.

Our commitment to the Wave of Community is unwavering. Our People Roadmap is a testament to our continual striving to do more and go further, ensuring that every employee feels valued, engaged, and connected. From our comprehensive learning and development programs and peer support networks to our emphasis on work-life balance and personal agency, we are building a resilient and adaptable workforce ready to thrive in the dynamic world of work.

As we ride the crest of the Wave of Community, we invite our current teammates, future teammates, customers, and the industry at large to join us in this exciting journey. Together, we can create a workplace where everyone can be themselves, feel a deep sense of belonging, and contribute to a thriving community. At Just Global, we believe that the future of work is not just about achieving success but about building a community where everyone can flourish.