Last week my neighbor proudly gave me a tour of her garage which has now been converted to Pickett’s Snowball Stand.
It is open from 4-9pm and the neighbors love it. It provides a place to come together to talk, connect and cool down.
A friend’s father recently passed away. People came together to mourn, support and remember. This sense of community provided comfort in the sad days that followed the funeral.
I have been in physical therapy for the last six weeks recovering from rotator cuff surgery. The staff at pt has become my new community. I see them twice a week. In addition to my health, we talk about our lives and vacations.
Community is the thread in all of these disparate situations. People need and desire a sense of place. It grounds us while providing support and connection.
As a leader you can be proactive in creating community. Find out what others need, be welcoming, be inclusive and be supportive. Set the tone and others will follow.
When people feel part of a community, they will be more engaged and proactive. It will lead to greater initiative and better client service. We can create community in a number of ways and in myriad environments. Doing so will increase your fulfillment.