Skip to content

How Community Makes Wellbeing Programs Thrive

    

Community is an essential part of life, yet not every employee wellbeing program has it. Here are a few reasons why community is crucial to their success.

Working towards your wellbeing goals on your own can feel like a neverending uphill battle. But when you make it a communal effort, you’re more likely to succeed. 

Why? Numerous studies show that we push ourselves harder when we aren’t alone. For example, a study found that 95% of people who started a weight-loss program with friends completed it, compared to 76% of those who went solo. Even more impressively, those in the friend group were 42% more likely to maintain their weight loss over time.

Achieving wellbeing goals solo is possible, but joining forces greatly increases your odds. Humans are social creatures, and it’s in our nature to work together, cheer each other on, and engage in healthy competition. 

Read on to learn why and how community drives engagement with wellbeing programs. 

Community promotes accountability

A community-based employee wellbeing program creates a sense of shared responsibility and encouragement among participants. When employees work toward their goals together, they naturally hold each other accountable, whether through team challenges, group check-ins, or shared progress tracking. This collective effort not only boosts individual motivation but also creates a supportive culture where everyone feels invested in each other’s success.

Healthy competition fuels motivation

Incorporating competition into an employee wellbeing program can increase motivation and engagement. Friendly rivalries encourage employees to push themselves while also having fun. Competition taps into our natural drive to excel and provides a tangible reason to stay committed to personal and team goals. It also builds camaraderie, as colleagues cheer each other on and celebrate wins together. 

Szu-chi Huang, a Stanford professor who specializes in motivation, found that competition makes achieving a goal more valuable. In her research, the desire to win motivates people early in the competition. As the competition progresses, participants who see themselves falling behind are more likely to step up their efforts to climb the leaderboard.

A sense of community encourages inclusivity

Community plays a crucial role in fostering inclusivity, which is essential for the success of wellbeing programs. When employees feel part of a supportive and diverse community, they are more likely to engage and take ownership of their wellbeing journey. Inclusive programs ensure that everyone, regardless of background, ability, rank, or experience, feels welcomed and valued in the program. 

This sense of belonging encourages participation from all employees and breaks down barriers to engagement. When people see that their wellbeing matters in a collective setting, it promotes a more open environment where they can grow together, ultimately driving the overall success of the program.

Strategies for incorporating community into your wellbeing programs

Want to make your wellbeing programs more effective? Try these strategies.

  • Host team-based challenges where employees gain points for their collective efforts. 
  • Provide virtual and in-person group activities to drive inclusivity. This enables everyone to participate, regardless of whether they work at the company headquarters, in the field, or remotely. 
  • Create an internal social network for wellness discussions. This can be a Slack or Teams channel, or hosted on the company intranet. Let people share their successes, and ask for support from their peers. Even employees who choose to lurk on these channels may find some encouragement.

For more tips on making wellbeing programs successful, read What's the Secret to Success With Wellbeing Programs?

Community is the cornerstone of successful wellbeing programs

From driving accountability to sparking healthy competition and peer support, a sense of togetherness transforms individual efforts into collective achievements. When employees feel connected and supported, they’re more engaged and likely to stick with their goals. By building a culture that prioritizes community, organizations not only enhance their wellbeing programs but also strengthen the bonds that drive overall workplace success. After all, wellbeing works best when we’re in it together.

 

GROKKER CALENDAR

Make 2025 your best wellbeing year yet!

This downloadable, printable calendar has: 

  • A different wellbeing theme for each month
  • A featured Grokker program for each month, covering every aspect of wellbeing
  • An inclusive compilation of health-centric and cultural awareness days and months to inspire your wellbeing promotions