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Let's talk about "community" and what makes a "good" community.
I am not an expert in this space, for that I would turn to @rhappe @alexhillman @6Gems @laura @ekp ++
My angle on "community" is grounded in how collaboration (co-laboring towards a shared goal) creates big outcomes.
My angle on "community" is grounded in how collaboration (co-laboring towards a shared goal) creates big outcomes.
But I want to explore about what must exist in power dynamics for it to be community (each voice counts equally) and for it not be a community in name only where whiteness/etc get served by those in lower power.
Power of voice. Can one be heard is one angle.
Sense of belonging (equally) is the other.
When both are true = communal, commons, community.
(see onlyness 2x2 construct here: https://atwork.substack.com/p/should-you-say-no-to-that-big-job)
Sense of belonging (equally) is the other.
When both are true = communal, commons, community.
(see onlyness 2x2 construct here: https://atwork.substack.com/p/should-you-say-no-to-that-big-job)
Transparency and especially financial disclosure of competing interests.
Ex: "Feminist" earns money off of a "feminist" in-name book, And, when challenged on the issues, they dismiss concerns without that transparency, the community is harmed by lack of transparency.
Ex: "Feminist" earns money off of a "feminist" in-name book, And, when challenged on the issues, they dismiss concerns without that transparency, the community is harmed by lack of transparency.
Pecking Order Power.
Ex: A young fresh voice expresses an idea, but a more established leader stomps out that fresh voice because they said that same idea x years ago. The idea doesn't advance, while the person who was "there first" keeps their status.
Ex: A young fresh voice expresses an idea, but a more established leader stomps out that fresh voice because they said that same idea x years ago. The idea doesn't advance, while the person who was "there first" keeps their status.
Reciprocity.
Ex: If you get help/support from someone, and you're in the more privileged spot, you owe a duty to ask, what is a way to respect that person's help/ support. Give them the chance to turn down your generosity, not to take it as given they're there to serve you.
Ex: If you get help/support from someone, and you're in the more privileged spot, you owe a duty to ask, what is a way to respect that person's help/ support. Give them the chance to turn down your generosity, not to take it as given they're there to serve you.
Mutuality.
Ex: Some only help you who can help you back. This is the traditional "power climbing" behavior that many accept as valid. It keeps those coming from behind, still behind. Instead, address and redress that imbalance. Be the change.
Ex: Some only help you who can help you back. This is the traditional "power climbing" behavior that many accept as valid. It keeps those coming from behind, still behind. Instead, address and redress that imbalance. Be the change.
Responsibility.
If you are called out for doing a wrong, don't apologize for the hurt feelings, apologize for the harm. And no restitution in the community until responsibility is taken to do full amends, reparations.
If you are called out for doing a wrong, don't apologize for the hurt feelings, apologize for the harm. And no restitution in the community until responsibility is taken to do full amends, reparations.
No ongoing drama.
Ex: if you are always bringing up the boyfriend who broke up with you 7 years ago in an "I'm all alone now" way, you are taking up space that others need. Community leaders must demand it to stop because the commons is a shared space, not there for 1 person.
Ex: if you are always bringing up the boyfriend who broke up with you 7 years ago in an "I'm all alone now" way, you are taking up space that others need. Community leaders must demand it to stop because the commons is a shared space, not there for 1 person.
No bullying.
Communities are not there as dictatorships. If you want a dictatorship, do it elsewhere. Communities require the heart to serve shared interests, not one interest.
Communities are not there as dictatorships. If you want a dictatorship, do it elsewhere. Communities require the heart to serve shared interests, not one interest.
No asshattery.
Ex: if someone reports asshat behavior and can show you the receipts...don't let how nice they are to you cause you to question the reports. That's how asshattery (from using people, and lying all the way to sexual harassment and racist behavior) is enabled.
Ex: if someone reports asshat behavior and can show you the receipts...don't let how nice they are to you cause you to question the reports. That's how asshattery (from using people, and lying all the way to sexual harassment and racist behavior) is enabled.
No stealing of ideas.
Ex: One person "borrows" the frameworks and ideas of another simply by learning from them. By not acknowledging the idea's heritage, they are effectively stealing. It harms the idea AND harms commons as it erodes the trust of being able to share freely.
Ex: One person "borrows" the frameworks and ideas of another simply by learning from them. By not acknowledging the idea's heritage, they are effectively stealing. It harms the idea AND harms commons as it erodes the trust of being able to share freely.
Community ground rules need to be established and managed.
If "no drama" rule is in place, drama gets reduced. If Asshattery will cause one to get kicked out, asshattery goes down.
State your values.
Manage to values.
Reward values.
Flywheel
.
If "no drama" rule is in place, drama gets reduced. If Asshattery will cause one to get kicked out, asshattery goes down.
State your values.
Manage to values.
Reward values.
Flywheel
.
Once stated values are in place (and managed), the community turns it into the default culture: https://atwork.substack.com/p/50-ways-to-shape-your-culture
