Work In Colour - Work. Think. Live. In Colour
Tuesday 7th December 2010 | 2 comments
My business has changed this year, and it has a lot to do with my linking up with a couple of different groups - one, a networking association, and the other a 'tribe' of women who meet monthly to work on each others' business, as well as more informal contact between meetings.
There's a definite power and excitement in belonging to a group.
We have a natural tendency to gravitate towards groups. In earliest tribal times, they were literally essential for survival. As well as hunting and gathering, building shelter and defending the tribe from enemies, people gathered in circles to do their work, to care for their children, to support each other and to celebrate together. Much of their sense of identity was tied up with membership of this tribal group, and it was the source of the bulk of their life satisfaction.
Today, as long ago, the benefits of a true community are many: pooling of talents, greater innovation and creative problem solving, support for those who need it, a sense of meaning and identity, a place to let off steam, unity in times of threat, productivity, skill specialisation, acceptance, company, shared stories and history. Loneliness decreases when we feel part of a community, and we develop an understanding of other people's lives and challenges. Belonging to something that is bigger than our own egoic concerns is one of the strongest indicators of happiness and maturity.
For many of us today, this way of connecting is not as familiar. Even if you work in an office or otherwise in a collection of people, or live in a block of flats, it does not necessarily mean you have the sense of 'group' that leads to the feelings of belonging, combining of talents and support that a community offers.
Most of us will have had an experience of being a group that worked - where you felt part of something bigger and more satisfying and productive than you could have achieved on your own, a place where your needs were met, your voice heard and your contribution recognised.
Equally, you may have a memory of a group that didn't jell, where there was dissention, goals were not achieved and you felt decidedly unheard, maybe even attacked. So, clearly a gathering of people in one room does not of itself a group make...
What do you think about groups? What has been your experience?
Tag: business
It is always a pleasure to read your blog posts, which I subscribe to through your email newsletter. In fact, yours is one of my very few newsletter subscriptions - for two reasons:
1: The relevance of the content and the expert way in which it is delivered
2: A sense of connection and belonging to the communities we both share (Twitter, LinkedIn, Network Central etc.).
Your post has prompted me to reflect on the communities I am a member of, and refine the ones I have created (such as www.nextdirector.com).
A sense of belonging is important, and I believe a sense of contribution to the communities you participate in is as important as the belonging.
Thanks for your words of wisdom. I am always motivated to read your posts and inspired to act on the advice.
Michael, thank you.