In episode 14 of the GCUC Radio podcast series, host, Tony Bacigalupo, talked to Tim Mahlberg who is currently doing research on the future of work with the University of Sydney.

About Tim Mahlberg

Tim heard about coworking for the first time when he was given the opportunity to found and manage a coworking space on behalf of a bank after he had been working in corporate there.  He has always had a passion for people and helping them realize their purpose through their work so this was the perfect project for him. This space was incredibly successful and brought in about 2,500 members.  

Recognizing and embracing every person that comes in and taking them on a journey is what made Tim’s space so successful.  This is important to do even if the person has been a member for a long time. When it is done well, it creates an uplifting energy that feels inviting.  There is nothing better than having someone who shows genuine interest in who you are and what you are doing. Spaces have to be willing to acknowledge different people and accept them where they are at.

Cultivating Community

Cultivating this sort of environment within a space takes a lot of energy and intention which can cause people to burnout.  The stress surrounding this is not talked about as much as it should be. There is a great burden of responsibility felt. However, the intermixing of community that crosses between different industries and parts of society is a vision that can help sustain a team of people to push through.  It is all about finding the right group of people that have the right kind of curiosity and are able to cultivate these connections. The potential of coworking spaces to bring society together is a great payoff.