Manage to Engage

CHAPTER 10Building Community: 1 + 1 = 3

Community is much more than belonging to something; it's about doing something together that makes belonging matter.

—Brian Solis, digital analyst, author, speaker

If there is one thing that binds people together, it's the spirit of community. A shared sense of understanding. Sporting events, concerts, cooking classes, computer games, even cities demonstrate this. Common links. A sense of belonging is important if people are to feel that what they do has context and meaning. Joint knowledge to solve some of the greatest problems facing your business bring people together. Community spirit can have a strong influence on people's inclination to do well, improve, and shine. It can also enable large groups of people to achieve remarkable results. If we feel part of a wider community, we feel seen, supported, and validated. We don't feel alone: we know there are people we can call on, who will help. It may be our immediate community, or a more virtual community linked by mutual interests or a common purpose.

In our home lives, sense of community was dwindling – people's transience and increased self-sufficiency has brought disconnection. This is an opportunity. We strive to feel part of a community, to be with the in-crowd. How you bring that to life at work to perhaps fill the gap at home could become your own secret weapon. People love to be in the club. Why not make it yours?

Belonging to a community doesn't only starve off loneliness ...