Community is one of my favorite topics. Thanks, Patti, for allowing me to be part of your community to do so! Community is something I’m passionate about and something I believe we all inherently need as humans. Very simply, we were created that way.
I believe if we were meant to be alone, God would have just stopped with one of us. Though times sure have changed since the dawn of creation, our basic human needs have not. The need for community is within us all, and our communities provide real benefit to our lives, professionally and personally.
In what ways can you benefit from community?
Let me share some very real and personal ways in which community has made a real impact on me:
Sharing, Encouragement and Support
In Cincinnati last summer, I founded a group called Authentic Leadership in Cincinnati and launched it via LinkedIn (a technology tool that, by the way, helps you create a professional community.) I did it not only to facilitate the development of values-based, people-focused leaders, but also so that community could be there to support one another.
Our economy and its ripple effect have created a tough environment. It’s full of power, money, greed and shareholder value; and it’s really easy for anyone to get pulled into these things and forget about their values, people and integrity. By creating a community of authentic leaders, we’re able to share knowledge, experiences, best practices and support to do the right thing in difficult situations.
This supportive community helps us all to know that we’re not alone in our stance, regardless of title, company or background. With continued development and encouragement, we hope to make a significant positive impact throughout the organizations in our city.
Collaboration and Bringing About Change
Along with more than 650 professionals, I am a member of the Lead Change Group on LinkedIn. Mike Henry, Sr., who founded this group, has become a leader –if not “the” leader – in bringing attention to applying character-based leadership to make a difference.
On February 19-20, leaders will be meeting not just to talk about character-based leadership. We’ll be convening in an un-conference (also known as “open space”) format to determine the best ways to collaborate and put this leadership into action. LeaderPalooza, as it’s been named, is tagged as being “Not Your Mama’s Leadership Conference” and those attending are passionate about the mission (me included!)
The Lead Change community has been formed and developed by leveraging technology and social media tools. We regularly engage in conversation on LinkedIn, we share information on Twitter, we contribute to each others’ blogs, and we Skype and call to get to know one another even better. (We’re spread all over the world!)
The great thing is that while all of our businesses are unique, we are all founded in the same principles of character-based leadership. As such, we’re eager to help one another in their efforts to bring about positive change. This community is, indeed, starting a revolution together!
Teamwork and Friendship
In both of the aforementioned groups, I have established and grown personal friendships that I cherish. Because of our similar values, it has been with ease that we have collaborated professionally and also shared personal stories, photos and greeting cards.
I would be remiss; however, if I did not mention the community of strictly personal friends I have in my life. We’re not tied together by professional commonalities, but instead, we’re parents, non-profit volunteers, neighbors in same community, and just….friends who like being around one another.
Not only is this community fun, but we’re also quick to serve one another. Someone’s sick? Let’s bring food. Someone’s overwhelmed? Let’s take their kids for an evening. Someone needs a ride? Let’s carpool! I just can’t imagine what we would do without one another, because these days, it certainly does take a village to do anything really well!!
A village? Ah, yes…another word for community. And yes, for all of us, it does take one!!
Erin Schreyer is President of Sagestone Partners, a leadership and talent management coaching firm in Cincinnati, OH. Erin is passionate about helping leaders maximize their effectiveness, make the most positive impact on their people and successfully grow their business. She is also the Founder and Executive Director of Authentic Leadership Cincinnati, a non-profit organization formed to develop, encourage and support values-infused and people-focused leadership. Erin can be reached at www.eschreyer@sagestone-partners.com.