A Community Approach to

Leadership

Effective Leaders are Community Builders

academy

Effective leaders know the power of community building. As they lead individuals and teams within an organization, they are able to strike the right balance between engaging individuals and doing so within the broader scope of the team and the overall organizational “community.” 

Effective leaders throughout an organization are active community builders. Communities are made up of individuals who have the opportunity to work together and spark innovation, create value, and succeed in the market together. Investing heavily in your team community is fundamental to supporting the strategic objectives within any organization.

lesson 1

Why Community Matters

Tooth to Tail

Effective leaders throughout an organization are active community builders. Communities are made up of individuals who have the opportunity to work together and spark innovation, create value,

and succeed in the market together. Investing heavily in your team community is fundamental to supporting the strategic objectives within any organization.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Shared Decisions

Thinking of your team as a community, which items in the following list are decided as individuals and which are decided by the community? Are any of them decided by leaders only? How satisfied with that are you?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 2

Community and the Orient Pillar

The Orient Pillar

Each community is made up of individuals with their own perspectives and identities. 

A community minded leader balances those individual traits with the objectives and plans of their teams and organization.

Perspective

Perspectives can be useful or not. It’s up to leaders to distinguish between different perspectives

and reframe those that do not benefit the community.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Perspective Activity

Think about your team as a community. How aligned with the community’s perspectives are you?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Identity

Individual identity is shaped by the community, and vice versa. 

It’s important to recognize and celebrate diversity while balancing personal and professional boundaries.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Identity Activity

Think about your team as a community. How is the balance between individual and community identity?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Objective

Community engagement is grounded in building 

and sharing objectives that are clear and inclusive. 

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Objective Activity

Think about your team as a community. How is your community doing at identifying and pursuing objectives?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Plan

Plans make objectives obtainable. They can be issued as directives, 

as hands on experiences, or as part of a mentoring strategy.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Plan Activity

Think about your team as a community. Does your community have a clear plan?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 3

Community and the Assemble Pillar

The Assemble Pillar

Assembling the relationships, space, mentorship and necessary environment for success

is the next step once a leader has oriented their team.

Relationship

Relationships between individuals can either build or detract from a team.

Leaders can construct “public” space to help individuals strengthen relationships with each other and the community.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Relationship Activity

Building relationships in a community requires effort. What tools and activities does your community use?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Space

The space we need to fulfill our role within a community is balanced between rights and rules.

Leadership can provide central authority and maintain the flexibility that allows individuals to contribute autonomously.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Space Activity

Building relationships in a community requires effort. What tools and activities does your community use?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Mentor

Mentoring is essential to building individuals and teams, but it does not all have to come from a single leader. 

Mentoring resources can be found outside a team, or even be borrowed from other communities.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Mentor Activity

Mentoring is a great way to build future high performing employees and leaders. Is your community taking advantage of that tool?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Environment

Creativity and innovation are inspired by the environment. 

When leaders balance rules of commonality with individuality, the community will stay aligned with objectives and individuals will be engaged.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Environment Activity

Mentoring is a great way to build future high performing employees and leaders. Is your community taking advantage of that tool?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 4

Community and the Act Pillar

The Act Pillar

Once you have oriented toward your objective and assembled the resources you need, it is time to act. 

Building momentum and staying aligned are necessary parts of building an engaged team and community. 

Score

Scorekeeping done right informs and motivates a community toward the right objectives. 

Not every metric is worth keeping score of, so it is essential to be aware of not only what is measured, but why. 

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Score Activity

Not every metric has equal value to the community it measures. Consider which metrics have a greater positive impact on the community than others.

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Momentum

Building and maintaining momentum around the right 

objectives is key to keeping a community motivated and engaged.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Momentum Activity

It’s often challenging to maintain momentum when change occurs in a community. How does your community with momentum?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Investment

Having skin in the game helps individuals stay invested in a community. 

Leaders who clearly define jobs, roles and responsibilities ensure that their teams are investing in the right things. 

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Investment Activity

As individuals invest in the quality of the community, it strengthens everyone. How do you recognize those investments?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Alignment

When best practices are followed by the community, they realize better long–term outcomes. But best practices can change over time. 

Aligning around the right practices sometimes means sacrificing short term efficiency for long term benefits. 

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Alignment Activity

How well does your community balance purposeful inefficiency—doing difficult but beneficial things—with staying aligned with critical objectives?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 5

Community and the Achieve Pillar

The Achieve Pillar

Once a community is aligned, and has developed momentum, leaders can maintain their progress 

by helping the community through renewal, value recognition, growth and impact.

Impact

Individuals do not always instinctively align with organizational objectives. 

When leaders help their team align a shared vision and objectives, they can make a lasting impact on their organizational community.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Impact Activity

Consider the contributions that community members think they are making compared with impact the community needs them to make. Any problematic differences?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Growth

Communities experience growth when individuals are incentivized to pitch in toward shared objectives. 

When leaders help their team access resources, overcome challenges, and strengthen relationships, the community grows exponentially. 

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Growth Activity

Whether a leader or member in the work community, it’s important that each individual feel like there are growth opportunities available. How do you feel about yours?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Value

Value derived from a community is as important as the value contributed. 

Effective leaders recognize the need to balance inputs and outputs to keep their teams satisfied and engaged. 

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Value Activity

Effective communities balance the value given by with the value received from individuals—fostering engagement. How does your community do with that balance?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

Renewal

Energy is created, conserved or spent. When leaders are considerate of individuals’ needs, 

they can guide the community without overloading the system.

personal assessments

a moment for reflection

Renewal Activity

Regular renewal is critical to the long-term effectiveness of any community. How does your work community do at creating the energy needed to support objectives?

Note: Reflection is critical to the learning process. It taps into our Spiritual Intelligence, an inner awareness that lies below the level of consciousness (learn more). It also triggers emotions which create neurological connections, or cognitive markers that facilitate memory (learn more). Sometimes these reflection opportunities may seem silly or unnecessary. But the science shows it will increase both memory and understanding.

lesson 6

Conclusion

Community Leadership Conclusion

Achieving organizational objectives starts by building a community at the team level. Orienting around a shared plan and assembling the necessary resources is just the beginning. 

From there, measuring progress and building momentum allows leaders to achieve long-term growth and impact for the individuals and communities they lead.

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