Building a Supportive Environment for Designers

In 2020, I was a freelancer working alone, feeling isolated. In 2024, I’m the CEO of a community-centric company. It all started when my friend and co-founder shared: “I miss working in coffee shops.” This simple thought kicked off everything. More than the physical spaces - the human element. So we set out to prove that remote work and community can coexist. Here’s what I learned about building a supportive community remotely: 1. Encourage creativity through teamwork ↳ Organize brainstorming sessions with diverse perspectives. ↳ Collaborate to find creative, impactful solutions. 2. Find your accountability partner ↳ Form partnerships to keep you focused on your goals. ↳ Regular check-ins ensure steady progress. 3. Build trust with your connections ↳ Invest in meaningful relationships through authentic interactions. ↳ Trust and respect are the foundation of a strong community. 4. Match actions with shared beliefs ↳ Ensure your actions reflect your core values. ↳ This alignment enhances your sense of purpose and satisfaction. 5. Support overall well-being ↳ Encourage activities supporting mental, emotional, and spiritual health. ↳ Well-being helps you and others grow personally and professionally. We need (authentic) human connections to thrive. Isolation may be a byproduct of remote work, but it doesn't have to be. How are you fostering a supportive community in your life?

It’s a tough world out there. ⚠️ And, loneliness is at an all-time high. Online communities can be part of the solution. When designed well, communities provide safe spaces for members to receive support, knowledge and friendship. I want my members to feel like they belong. Like they MATTER. Like they’re valued, just as they are. We had a conversation in The Hive about what it means to create a safe space. Here’s a sampling of what our members think: 🐝 Start with the mindset that every person is equally valuable, no matter how they show up. Demonstrate that belief in everything you do. 🐝 Foster a space where people can form true friendships – in the community, on social media and in real life. 🐝 Allow space. When someone asks a question in The Hive, I pause before answering. I’m the facilitator, not the expert, and I want everyone to have an opportunity to share their thoughts. 🐝 Thank members when they model the behaviors you want to encourage. For example, “Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough response!” and “Thank you for recommending that excellent resource!” 🐝 Acknowledge elephants in the room. When someone is upset or hurt, pause and address what happened. Just moving on when the energy in the room has shifted can prevent others from learning and connecting. 🐝 Let people know what to expect – the good, the bad and the ugly. Explain why decisions were made. 🐝 Observe rituals that build a sense of belonging. Traditions and routines are comforting. What did I miss? How else can we make our online communities safe and inclusive spaces?

In my work, I examine the causes of, and cures for, loneliness in adulthood—specifically through the lens of adult friendship. As a former UX/UI/product designer, I've also taken a closer look at how loneliness manifests in the design industry. Here's a snippet of what I learned; full article at my site. Key questions: ❓What causes designers to feel lonely in their teams? ❓What causes designers to feel lonely in the design industry as a whole? ❓What helps designers feel a sense of belonging and connection? ❓What lessons here apply not just to designers but to workers of all kinds? 🧠 Lesson 1. There is no title you can attain that will guarantee you a sustained feeling of belonging. A promotion or a fancier title cannot insulate you from feelings of loneliness. In fact, Harvard Business Review has reported that the higher you climb, the more likely you are to feel lonely. 🧠 Lesson 2. Working environments marked by a high degree of competition and perfectionism are prime breeding grounds for feelings of loneliness, disconnection, and anxiety. 🧠 Lesson 3. When people don't feel like their workplace or the products they release are in alignment with their ethics or values around diversity, equity and inclusion, they're more likely to feel lonely at work—even if they come from a more dominant group, but esp if they don't. 🧠 Lesson 4. People want to have fun at work, but they don't want to be forced to do it in contrived ways. If companies want people to bring their whole selves to work, they need to accept the selves they bring — not coerce them to be someone else. 💡 My inquiry into this topic doesn't just focus on the challenges and loneliness. I also delve into WHAT WORKS to increase connection and healthy colleagueship... Here are a few of the 15+ recommendations listed in my full article that will help you reduce loneliness at work and create the conditions for belonging: 👉🏾 Prioritize the creation and maintenance of psychologically safe working environments. 👉🏾 See each other as more than the reputation that your resume garners. Do more armor-dropping and less name-dropping. 👉🏾 Invest in the development of healthy friendships with other colleagues (whether they're at your company or not) where you can speak candidly and real talk is welcome. 👉🏾 Managers: Reward courage and candor, not assimilation. 👉🏾 Ask, then listen, to your staff about what would help THEM feel safe, supported, and connected. Don't assume. And don't think there's a one-size-fits-all solution bc there's not. ❤️ Now more than ever, you need to care for your people — esp if your company is hybrid or remote. You can create loneliness by design, or connection by design. Choose wisely. 🎤 The full essay goes a lot deeper than this. Read "The Other L Word: Causes and Cures for Loneliness in the Design Industry" at my site and if you want me to bring this talk to your company or conference, reach out. https://lnkd.in/ggF_taCR