A sense of community is expressed in a lot of different ways. For example, we sometimes think about community as a physical location or neighborhood. However, a sense of community has a specific meaning in the workplace context. We are looking at the psychological connections. Coworkers with strong sense of community say that they are with people they feel close to and can trust. At a worksite, those with a sense of community might say that we are a close team or that our work group really clicks. The following cultural qualities are associated with a sense of community at the workplace.

A sense of community exists when people:

• Know one another in multi-dimensional ways (that is, more than what job someone does)
• Feel that they belong and are welcomed
• Care for one another in times of need
• Look forward to a future together
• Freely express hopes and feelings

• Trust one another