The Power of Community

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How important to you is feeling connected to a community of like-minded people? Maybe a group of people who share a common cause or enjoy a mutual hobby? Or working with people with whom you enjoy spending time? If you’re like most people, belonging to a community is very important. It is the source of many people’s happiness and joy. It is where relationships are formed and experienced. Having a sense of belonging provides meaning and satisfaction. 

The root word in community is “common.” Being in community provides a sense of belonging based on something in common. This sense of belonging and associated commitment is what underpins top-performing teams at work and in sports. It is the connection that binds families beyond ancestry and friends beyond acquaintance. It is the feeling of unity that we express as camaraderie. If you’ve ever referred to the power of teamwork in some way, there was probably a sense of community that enabled it.

Teenagers join clubs and hang out in groups based on common interests. Co-workers with common interests spend time together outside of normal work hours. Neighbors build friendships and people join organizations based on common interests. Whether intentional or accidental, personal or professional, people become members of communities. 

What is it about being part of a group that is so powerful? Is it the satisfaction that comes with bonding with people and having relationships? For sure, but for some people being in a community is more about learning, sharing, receiving support, giving support, and feeling safe. For others, it is simply about enjoying the experience. For those pursuing a goal, it is about achieving and accomplishing more than they can alone. As the African proverb goes, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others.”

When you are part of a group, you generally feel a sense of responsibility and accountability to the group that goes beyond what you might feel when working alone. People in groups look out for each other. Additionally, teams, families, and virtually all groups have more resources than a single individual. Combined, they have more experience and knowledge. They have more ideas and abilities. They have more capacity.

Of course, working with people has its challenges. People can be annoying and frustrating. People have different opinions, approaches, personalities, and styles which create conflict. But despite the liabilities, the advantages outweigh them. Studies on longevity find that being with people is better for your long-term health than being alone. Studies on performance find that groups outperform individuals …. Although no one really accomplishes anything completely on their own.  

If you’re building community in your neighborhood, workplace, extended family, organization, circle of friends, or with others who share your favorite pastime, listed below are a few practices to consider:

  • Craft an appealing group identity with relevant benefits to which people want to belong and be proud to belong.
  • Create an outward openness that attracts and welcomes like-minded outsiders who might want to join the group.
  • Promote relationship building and bonding through shared experiences and transparent discussions.
  • Provide meaningful ongoing communication that keeps people informed and engaged with the group.
  • Know and leverage people’s strengths that help each other reach higher levels of performance than any individual could on their own.
  • Pull people toward desired behaviors with regular encouragement, exhortation, and recognition of their contributions.  
  • Foster beneficial attitudes such as respect, positivity, empathy, and compassion that continually bond and motivate the group. 
  • Maintain trust and group confidence through increasing individual competence, a healthy team pride, and collaborative achievements. 

PDF version of this article: https://alpinelink.com/docs/The_Power_of_Community.pdf

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