I’ve been thinking a lot about pathways to belonging, and how the best communities have a number of ways for people to find connection. Because every member is different. Some shine in social settings, but others are far more comfortable being near the action, but participating in ways that work for them.
Members also have differences in work routines and rhythms, interests, availability, schedule flexibility … and a million other factors.
There’s no single pathway to belonging
One of the biggest mistakes community builders make is assuming there’s a single path to belonging. In my experience, there are as many ways to feel a sense of belonging as there are members of any community.
So the goal isn’t to create one perfect community experience, it’s to create numerous pathways to belonging.
For example, I tend toward the introverted side of things: I love to feel connection, community, and belonging, but it takes me a little while to ease into a new group. I’ve found that the best way to truly feel part of any community is to contribute to the community. When I teach a workshop, host a gathering, bring something for the group, share my story, or otherwise contribute, it supercharges my comfort and sense of belonging.
Ask people to contribute
That’s why I always encourage you to ask your members to do something … anything! Teach a workshop, bring in your famous salsa, share a helpful resource in Slack, talk about your art, lead a show and tell, host a lunch and learn.
It doesn’t matter what it is. It matters that you ask people to contribute, because contributing is the best, fastest, most lasting way to give someone a sense of ownership and belonging in your space and community.
Because when you give members an opportunity and a platform to make friends, become a leader, share what they know, and be of service to their fellow members all those veils of apartness fall away.
Community doesn’t build itself
But they don’t fall away on their own. Community doesn’t build itself. Connection doesn’t just happen. You have to set the tone to get (and keep) the ball rolling.
Creating multiple pathways to belonging means that the member who will never come to a happy hour can still contribute and feel connected to the community; that the shy member who makes life-changing chili can be known and celebrated in their own comfort zone; that the busy CEO can share their hard-earned insights into being a successful leader. On and on it goes.
So get creative and be true to yourself and your community, but create and unlock more pathways to belonging so everyone can feel part of things in your space and community.
