How to build meaningful connections in your office community?

Remote and flexible work models are becoming the new norm. Unfortunately, many professionals still feel increasingly isolated despite being surrounded by colleagues. This sense of disconnection leads to decreased productivity and innovation. It also raises the need for networking in office community as a way to boost team bonding, communication flow, and employee engagement.

According to Gallup, only 15% of employees strongly agree that they have the best friend at work. Those who have strong friendships are also more productive, loyal, and fulfilled. This proves the significance of building workplace relationships. Therefore, here is our detailed guide on how to build connections in office.

Imagine walking into your office and being greeted warmly by your name, laughter echoes from the kitchen, or coworkers collaborating naturally and pausing for informal chats. That’s how a connected workplace feels – one where emotional intelligence at work, peer-to-peer respect, and empathy define the culture.

Signs of a connected workplace include:

• Colleagues greet each other daily with sincerity.
• Informal chats and shared lunches are the norm
• Managers know employees’ personal and professional details.
• Peer monitoring and support networks are in place.
• There is respect for different viewpoints and background without judgment.
• There is higher work efficiency and productivity.
• Colleagues enthusiastically collaborate and support each other’s innovation.

These strong interpersonal workplace relationships are key in helping organisations reach their goals and reducing staff turnover. For instance, according to the report from UK Government’s Loneliness Employers Leadership Group, employees in connected working environments are more likely to stay with the same company for a long time. Moreover, that report also emphasised that those who experience greater office wellbeing are three times more likely to go the extra mile in their work, showing the true importance of healthy physical workspace in this digital age (1).

Report by Great Place To Work also mentioned that stress is rampant across all industries and roles in the UK, with frontline managers feeling the burn. This raises the need for implement initiatives to reduce this, including building workplace connection. Therefore, here are simple steps to create an office community.

1. Say hello like you mean it

Maintain eye contact, a genuine smile, and use people’s names when saying hello. This creates a sense of belonging at work and trust, which is beneficial to the individual and the company.

2. Eat lunch in common areas.

Use shared spaces like the kitchen, lounge, or rooftop for lunch breaks. This encourages employee engagement and idea sharing. A networking lunch break promotes productivity and self-care.

3. Share non-work wins

Talk about personal wins, such as a marathon you ran, your child’s art win, or a successful DIY project. This creates real human connections beyond KPIs.

4. Start or join a 5-minute morning ritual.

Introduce a standing coffee huddle with teammates, or join a shared playlist update, or a quick team photo challenge. These simple activities create a repeated opportunity to connect.

5. Check in with hybrid or remote colleagues.

A “Good morning” Slack message or looping remote colleagues into casual chats promotes a hybrid work culture. The Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work report found that loneliness is among the top challenges for remote workers.

6. Invite someone to join you in what you’re already doing

Inviting your colleagues for a coffee or a meeting is a powerful way to build a shared office culture without rearranging your schedule.

Creating a truly connected workplace also requires structural support. Leaders, managers, and HR teams can promote the following practices to foster trust and inclusivity.

1. Start small rituals that bring people together

There are no better tips to create happy workplace than honouring the teamwork spirits together (2). Simple traditions like “Friday Wins” or rotating team members sharing weekend stories encourage active listening and knowledge sharing. Harvard Business Review reported that employees are 3.5 times more likely to contribute fully when they feel they belong.

2. Celebrate personal and team milestones

Acknowledging birthdays, work anniversaries, or project completions instills a sense of significance. 69% of employees also say they would put in more effort if they felt their contributions were appreciated.

3. Build psychological safety into team culture

Encourage vulnerability, curiosity, and ideal-sharing without judgment. Leaders can also allow anonymous questions or hold “no wrong idea” brainstorms, which enhances workplace safety. According to Zenger Folkman, 67% of employees give extra effort when they feel empowered.

Fitzrovia is a buzzing ecosystem of ideas, innovation, and interconnection. Choosing office space here means embedding your business within a networking office community that supports business growth, internal mobility, and better team performance.

1. You don’t need to go to a networking event to make connections here

Fitzrovia Quarter, where The Langham Estate is current operating in, features various companies, from digital marketing to wellness startups. This encourages daily interactions among key decision-makers, creatives, and entrepreneurs. Whether it’s waiting in line at one of the local Fitzrovia coffee shops or sharing a rooftop view, these encounters foster peer-to-peer networking (3).

2. Proximity drives trust, and trust drives a deal.

Fitzrovia Quarter is a purpose-built neighbourhood that brings together creative, digital, fintech, and wellness-forward businesses. It’s intentionally curated for collaboration and innovative knowledge-sharing, which means you can find various businesses under one roof. This kind of space-sharing and proximity makes it easy to bump into your future partners or clients.

Choosing an office space in Fitzrovia also means becoming part of the rich legacy. By working in a historic building in Fitzrovia, you give your brand credibility and creative flair (4).

3. Flexibility in your space = Flexibility in how you connect

Great networking rarely happens behind closed doors or in meeting rooms. It happens in shared kitchens, common soft-seating lounges, shared stairwells, and impromptu breakout rooms. That’s what Fitzrovia’s multipurpose spaces, especially within The Langham Estate, are designed for. Flexible offices here strike a balance between function and flexibility, creating natural points that foster informal, authentic connections (5).

In this article:

(1) Why physical workspaces still matter for businesses in 2025

(2) 10 top tips to create a happy workplace & boost employee productivity in 2025

(3) Fitzrovia’s lunchtime: local cafés to fuel your team’s productivity

(4) Why Fitzrovia’s historic buildings are perfect for modern creative agencies

(5)  What does a flexible office look like?