My colleague, leader and mentor, Kate Toth recently wrote an incredible piece on Addressing the Productivity Disconnect. I highly suggest you give it a read. It speaks to the misconceptions around productivity, how it relates to trust, and inspiring engagement rather than forcing it.
And that's what I want to talk about here.
In a post-pandemic world, many organizations are trying to “bring people back together” by mandating onsite workdays. The goal? Rebuild connection. Foster collaboration. Reignite culture.
But let’s be honest: it’s not working the way we hoped.
Plenty of employees now commute in just to sit in half-empty offices or join back-to-back Zoom calls — often without a single meaningful interaction. The result? Less community, more co-existence.
So if showing up in the same building doesn’t automatically build culture… what does?
Here’s what the research — and real leadership experience — tells us.
Community Is Not Built By Proximity Alone
During my master’s research on leadership and well-being, I studied the specific behaviors that fostered healthy organizational cultures.
Want to guess what didn’t make the list?
Simply having employees physically "together".
What did make the list were practices rooted in trust, humility, engagement, and purposeful connection. And those don’t happen by accident.
Let’s explore how to build authentic community — whether you’re working onsite, hybrid, or remote.
Tip #1: Practice Humble Leadership
Healthy leaders admit when they don’t have all the answers. They consult their teams, make collaborative decisions, and reflect openly.
Before implementing a mandate, ask:
“Is this request serving the team — or just my own preference?”
If it’s the latter, that’s okay. But be intentional: if you’re asking people to show up, make sure what you’re inviting them to is worth showing up for.
Tip #2: Make the Office a "Third Place"
Sociologist Ray Oldenburg coined the term “third place” — a space separate from home (first place) and work (second place), where people gather, connect, and build community.
What if the office became that third place?
That doesn’t happen with mandates. It happens when you create a compelling reason for people to come in — when they feel energized, not obligated.
Third Place Strategy #1
Be Purposeful with Onsite Time
If you’re going to ask people to be onsite, design the experience.
- Create recurring “problem of the week” challenges
- Host show-and-share sessions so teammates can present current projects
- Build rituals where everyone contributes (e.g., weekly wins, lunch roundtables)
The goal? Make in-office days about connection, collaboration, and culture — not just convenience.
Third Place Strategy #2
Embed Micro Team-building Moments
Team-building doesn’t have to be big or expensive off-sites. They can be small and still impactful. Try things like:
- A “question of the week” posted in the break room
- A rotating “mug of the month” photo spotlight
- A shared digital frame with team photos from the weekend
These tiny rituals build belonging over time. They’re quick, inclusive, and meaningful.
Third Place Strategy #3
Model the Way
In my focus groups, one thing stood out: 83% of employees mirrored the behaviours of their leaders.
If you want your team to participate in the culture you’re building — you have to go first.
- Answer the question of the week
- Share a photo
- Join the problem-solving huddle
Your presence signals that this isn’t fluff — it’s part of how you work and lead.
The Bottom Line
Rebuilding culture in a hybrid world requires intentional design — not just mandated presence.
If employees are coming onsite only to sit in isolation, you’re not building community — you’re just recreating the same silos in a different space.
Real connection happens through shared purpose, structured interaction, and inclusive leadership. And the best part? You can start anytime.
Need help building culture in hybrid, remote, or on-site environments? Book your free consultation with our YMCA WorkWell team. Let's build community with intention - not just policy.
