How your love language determines your coworking happiness…

By now you would have been living under a rock if you have avoided the Theory of Love Languages to describe (or justify or declaim) how your loved ones meet (or miss) your own unique recipe for receiving and offering love and affection.

Back in 1992 Baptist Minister Gary Chapman theorised from observations gleaned from his counselling practice that “to discover another person’s love language, one must observe the way they express love to others, and analyse what they complain about most often and what they request from their significant other most often. He theorised that people tend to naturally give love in the way that they prefer to receive love, and better communication can be accomplished when one can demonstrate caring to the other person in the love language the recipient understands.”

Now turning “acts of service” and “gifts” into a justifiable proxy for intimacy and love might just have been a great way to prop up the institution of marriage as second wave feminism took hold. It might just have been an effective gas-light to get a generation of emotionally stunted blokes off the hook for being crap husband material. But like all cliches, I reckon there must have been an element of sense and truth to the theory for it to have this level of longevity.

So instead of interminably trying to work out which kind of LOVE I truly want (let’s be honest, when it comes down to it we all know the only real choices are words, touch or time) – I decided to turn the theory of LOVE Languages to better use. Here is my secret recipe of how to build great coworking communities by tapping into the idea of LOVE Languages as GREAT hospitality.

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In the bustle of daily life at WorkLife, between the hiss of the coffee machine, the chatter of morning greetings, the smell of the lemon myrtle oil in the diffuser, and the pitter patter of tiny keyboard strokes working to the upbeat tempo of our oh-so-very WorkLife playlists- there is an invisible language at work —one that’s not just about direct communication, but about connection and anticipation. It’s about creating GREAT hospitality experiences at work.

Enter the theory of love languages, the USP underneath every successful coworking community manager’s warm smile and intuitive responses.

At Worklife, where collaboration isn’t just a buzzword but a way of life, our team are seamlessly conducting a daily symphony of productivity and camaraderie.

How do they do it? Mostly by instinct I would say 😉

But follow this thought experiment with me to understand and apply the five love languages to a day in the life at your local WorkLife.

1. Words of Affirmation: For our community managers, small words can make a big difference to a day. From a simple “eek- how did the preso go?” to a heartfelt “thank you for showing the newbie how to use the coffee machine,” affirmations are like little beams of sunshine in a working day and their well-timed delivery helps create the easeful and warm community culture we love so much about our spaces.
2. Acts of Service: Whether we are troubleshooting tech issues or organising next weeks legendary IWD events, we know that actions speak louder than words. At WorkLife we show our love by going above and beyond to make your daily experience of our spaces seamless, stylish, friendly and fun.
3. Receiving Gifts: Now we definitely love celebrating anniversaries with our members- and spend some time thinking whether a year or three with us should be marked with a new pot-plant, a rehang of the art in your office, a line of credit at the local cafe or a donation on your behalf to a favourite local charity. But in the world of coworking, gifts may not always come wrapped in brown paper and yellow bows. Instead, coworking manifest as opportunities, connections, and resources— each thought bubble, referral or outreach is given as a token of appreciation and support from us to you.
4. Quality Time: We often say we are in the business of time & space. The ability to focus on what needs to be done, without the distractions of home or the disruptions of the office is the most valuable currency in any coworking business. Our team invest their time in getting to know our members, building relationships, making introductions, and fostering a sense of belonging among members.
5. Physical Touch: Not that kind. Don’t worry, this won’t get creepy. In a professional setting, physical touch may seem out of place. But in the context of WorkLife, it’s all about the personal touches—the handshake, the high-five, the coffee wordlessly delivered when you are stuck on that call for hours, the consolatory pat on the back—small gestures and acts of kindness that communicate support, encouragement, and our solidarity for the small daily struggles of life and work.

So what speaks to you? When it comes to your WorkLife, what’s missing from your half-empty corporate box or chaotic home office set-up?

Understanding the five love languages isn’t just essential for your LoveLife- it’s a superpower when appreciated and deployed in our coworking spaces.

For our team- working out your Love Language is also a litmus test for prospective members. It might look like we are just having an innocuous friendly chat, but we are secretly taking a punt and identifying your love language. If we get it right it can help us work out how to surprise and delight you- how to make sure that the coworking environment is invisibly and imperceptibly tailored and tweaked to be just right for you. How to ensure you are your BEST self when you are with us.

Good for you. Good for business. Good for LIFE.

So, are you craving affirmation and support? Seeking opportunities for meaningful connections? Then I reckon your local coworking space is where you’ll find your professional love language spoken fluently on a daily basis- no insincere acts of service and no expensive Tiffany jewellery boxes required 😉

So, whether you’re a seasoned coworker or a curious newcomer to our towns, remember: at Worklife, love isn’t just in the air—it’s in every word spoken, every service rendered, and every moment shared.

Ah, isn’t that lovely 😉