Learning Community-Building From the Best

Community-building is work that feeds the soul. It not only does good in the world, it makes you a better human being, for having connected deeply to your fellow man (or woman). So I'm delighted to point to two resources for building community online and in-person:

 

Online Community-Building

If you're a reader of the blog, Escape From Cubicle Nation, you'll know that Pam Slim has a loyal and large following.  Sure, Pam knows her stuff and is an engaging writer. But that doesn't totally account for posts that frequently get dozens of comments.
Building a community is at the heart of why Pam does what she does.  She's offered up this wonderful post, How To Build a Strong Business Community.  Her first tip, "Use the "success of others" as your metric for success", is what sets Pam apart from other people who talk about community building. When you embrace this idea fully, it's a game-changer. Photo by oatsy40.

While Pam has built her community largely through virtual means, her tips extend to the offline world.  

 

In-Person Community-Building, Oct 11 in Denver

I've been a fan of management guru, Peter Block (even before he wrote his classic books, Flawless Consulting, The Answer to How is Yes) ever since I stumbled upon his "Employee Manifesto" from the '90s. Block has a way of telling you what you don't want to know, but what you need to know, in a no nonsense manner.  Over the last decade, he's focused on the art and science of community building.

Block is a deep thinker and fortunately, in this chapter of his work, he's trained others to think along the same lines. My friend and colleague, Patty Beach, has trained with Block and is holding a workshop on Oct 11 in Denver, "Community Building - the Alchemy of Engagement". Click here for more details.

Here's a video that will give you a taste of this type of learning in action:

Block's work is masterful and seeing the immediate impact is inspiring.