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Sticking True to Our Core Values

We made sure that we had a set of clearly defined core values in place for Ment Cowork before opening our doors to the public nearly two years ago. Without them where would we be? Probably still struggling to figure out exactly how we need to cater to our members and community. …ugh how awful that would be!

So in the midst of all the madness, we are reminding you that we haven’t forgotten what we are all about here.

Our Four Core

 

1. Membership: To place emphasis on people and their opportunities to interact with one another

Without our members, we wouldn’t be where we are today. As a member, you are more than just a customer, you are a part of a growing community and we aim to put value in that. We are a space that allows you to meet others, interact, work, attend and host workshops and events (and drink unlimited coffee!) all in the center of the city. Now that is a membership worth committing to (unlike my gym membership…RIP).

 

2. Environment: To harvest and focus on cultivating the totality of members surrounding conditions, friend to friend

Bringing Ment and community members together for fellowship and work spaces means they are getting a one of a kind (literally – we’re the only ones in Bowling Green!) experience. We continue to offer consistency with an eye pleasing aesthetic and office style that allows you to choose the best work area for you.

 

3. Nourishment: To provide an open space to live, create and thrive

Just like everything else in life, we need the time (and the place) to create, grow and thrive. Encouragement goes a long way, as does a smile and an uplifting atmosphere. A space that connects you with people and opportunities just might be what you need to nourish your mind, soul and career.

 

4. Commencement: To be a community where members self-select to begin each professional endeavor

At Ment, we know that you are {Ment} for great things and that’s why we started this place to begin with! Working shouldn’t have a specific set of rules – it’s all about freedom to do what you need to do in a way that best works for you. Doing so sets you on a path that allows you to make and build connections and become more productive. We can’t wait to see you succeed!

 

 

Sticking True

Not losing sight during this time is important. Make sure you know how to keep your company values inline. Here’s what we’re doing during COVID-19:

-Maintaining communication. We are staying in contact with the public and our members to keep them updated via social media, email and newsletters…did we mention virtual happy hours with our members? Yes please!

-Offering community support. It is our job to support and uplift other small businesses during this hardship. We are checking in on our local friends and even planning a virtual meet-up and collaboration session! (more details to come).

-Keeping our facilities clean. Safety is number one and that’s why we have cracked down on cleaning and reducing use of community shared products and items. One of our own members and favorite cleaning companies On Target Cleaning has been working extra hard for us lately!

-Continuing membership perks and community partnerships to allow us to keep bringing the best of Bowling Green to our Ment community (even from a distance).

-Adapting to changes and making the best of our situation with a smile on our faces and giving out tons of virtual hugs along the way.

-Most importantly, we are encouraging others to be as productive as possible while working at home and helping others realize that remote work has its perks. We know you don’t want to be stuck at home forever but also don’t want to go back to the office, so we’re reminding you that we are here when this mess clears up!

Why

Researcher and business consultant Jim Collins speaks on the topic of creating the right values. His blog talks about the importance of sticking true to your values even in the time of (for example) an economic downturn. Sound familiar? During the current COVID-19 pandemic, we want our values to reign true and be both timeless and sustainable. How do you do this? By looking at what is really important in your business and make sure that you are focusing on your audience.

“It should be about what you can do for others, not what they can do for you,” says Leona Morelock, branding specialist and our current community partner.

Core Values are important and we are not straying from them anytime soon. Remember to stay positive, stay authentic and stay educated during these times on what you can do to continue to serve your clients, customers, members, etc. during these trying times.

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coworking space bowling green

Vulnerability in the Workplace

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Vulnerability and workplace are two words that do not usually mix. The former, a flowery word that concerns itself with feelings and emotions cannot fathom intertwining itself with the hard corporate world of deadlines, investments, and structure. Thus, people seem to hide their emotional selves while at work and bottle them up until they go home for the day.

However, I don’t subscribe to that school of thought. Being vulnerable in your workspace can be the best thing for you. Being open allows you to really, truly connect with coworkers or executives on a deeper level. Every single person has feelings, whether they choose to show them or not. The ability to feel is what makes us humans on the most basic level and what separates us from every other creature on this planet.

Acknowledging vulnerabilities can lead to a more productive and proactive work environment. Being emotionally intelligent allows coworkers to connect deeper, to form lasting relationships, and in turn, get more done. Taking a moment to see emotions, talk about them, and move on really shows strength and humanity.

On the flip side, hiding emotional vulnerabilities can wreak havoc at a place of work. People may hide their feelings because they don’t feel adequate or that their emotions do not matter, but bottling them all up will only lead to a bigger explosion down the line.

Opening your emotions at work will bring about more growth and learning. Vulnerabilities allow for a sense of humanity within a workplace. Genuine connections can blossom once you become more open with yourself and others in your space. Creating vulnerable and intentional conversations can foster true connections.

Being vulnerable applies to leaders as well. In my opinion, the best bosses are ones who connect emotionally and are willing to be vulnerable. Not that an executive needs to be crying all the time or asking too many personal questions, but maybe being open to those things (aside from the crying.) Stepping back as a leader allows other’s ideas to shine and employees to feel more connected, grounded, and engaged in their work.

Egos are nowhere to be found in a vulnerable workplace. Once you take down your personal guards around whatever you might be feeling, your ego will naturally see itself out. Putting your ego aside allows more room to listen and take from others. You have room to acknowledge other people’s ideas and to attach your’s to theirs. Egos can get in the way of a cooperative work environment.

Vulnerability is so important that the coworking industry as a whole has made it one of their core values. Ment has taken that and ran with it and we created our value nourishment based on their tenant of vulnerability. We believe as a space that we are here for your highs and lows. We strive to be expansive and inclusive and to nourish the souls of everyone who walks through our doors.

As a space, Ment wants to make ourselves as comfortable as possible to allow for open conversations. Our lounge has comfy couches, a skylight, and plants to create an environment you want to be in. Our library is color-coded (seriously, I am obsessed with it so come check it out) and organized to allow for better workflow. All the colors in our space are neutral as not to distract, but also to create a calm and reassuring environment.

The moral of the story is simple: being vulnerable allows all the good things about humanity to shine through. Bringing feelings into a work environment is tough, I get that, but it allows people to bring their whole selves to work and not leave a portion of themselves at home. Start by taking a moment to genuinely ask a coworker how they are. Not some quick small talk to start the day, but intentional curiosity about that person. Get to know them on a deeper level, know their families and their history. Begin to foster a vulnerable environment.

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