Ask the EXpert: Culture & Community building
Dear EXperts,
I’d love to know if you have any culture tips from a community building perspective, which of course could be businesses, but also wider networks who want to create a specific culture whilst being open and respectful to the fact that not everyone will have the same desires and needs (all working towards their own individual goals and mission).
- From a Community Founder
Our EXpert advice
We love this question as defining a culture within the communities we build is so important, but it can be tricky to strike a balance between your perspective as a leader of the community and the perspectives of your community members.
Here are some tips to help you create a culture that respects diverse needs and desires while working towards common goals:
Define a shared vision or mission: While your community members might have their own goals outside of your community, it’s still really important to establish a clear and compelling mission or vision statement that reflects the overarching purpose of the community. This will serve as a unifying force and provide a sense of direction for everyone involved, such as why are we here, what’s brought us together and what are we trying to achieve together.
Decide what you will and won’t tolerate: Shared values are important within all organisations, including communities, as they influence how you interact with each other. But, for values to have any meaningful impact, we need to define the behaviours that both support them (i.e. good day behaviours) and the behaviours that undermine them (i.e. bad day behaviours) which won’t be tolerated within the community. Make sure that members sign up to them before they join, and take action when these are violated. This maintains the integrity of the community and your shared vision, as well as keeping members safe and supported.
Encourage open communication: It’s important to create an environment where community members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Encourage active listening, empathy, and respect for different perspectives - this includes privately and publicly, as the situation requires. Regularly asking for feedback from community members in a variety of ways - anonymous surveys, focus groups and retrospectives - will help you evolve the culture of your community and ensure members feel that their voices are heard and valued.
Lead by example: As a community leader, it’s crucial that you embody the values and behaviours you wish to promote, and act as a role model for the behaviour you want to see within the community. You can do this by demonstrating integrity by holding yourself accountable when you fall short of the values, being transparent about the highs and lows, and creating inclusivity in your decision-making.
Continuously evolve and adapt: Culture is never static; it constantly evolves over time. So it’s a great idea to regularly assess and reassess your community's culture to make sure it aligns with the needs and desires of your members. As we’ve already said, be open to feedback and adapt your ways of working accordingly.
