Beyond Connections: The Power of Community

In the pursuit of my multi-year goal to run a half marathon in all 50 states, I took Kansas off the list last weekend, the 35th State. It’s always a great feeling when a project is nearing its completion. The closer we get to the proverbial finish line, the more driven we become to continue to work and push through difficulties to achieve that goal. However, I am finding it increasingly harder to get my creative juices flowing to formulate new ideas and write something interesting when the novelty of running races is starting to wear off. There are so many miles under my belt. There’s so much to compare to.

Community is truly where “Running with the Cows” shines. It seemed like the whole charming town of Bucyrus was out running or volunteering. The race is an annual event put on by the parents of a local Catholic School as a fundraiser. Every volunteer I came in contact with said “Thank You for coming.” Special thanks to the folks that dressed as cows or brought their cow to spectate the race. What really sets this race apart is the post-race buffet hosted by the community. The food spread was amazing and mostly homemade. Bucyrus may be a small town, but it is full of big hearts. The sign read “Join the herd,” and it was certainly a special mooo-ment.

The after party made me nostalgic. It reminded me of summer block parties that in my area have become a thing of the past. Sadly, the neighborhood where I live no longer has a sense of community and belonging. I barely know the people on my street. We politely say hello if we happen to see each other, but we do not socially interact with neighbors nor endeavor to get to know them.

Since the dawn of humanity, community, connection, and communication have been essential for the survival and development of our species, and our mental well-being. In our modern life, technology and advanced communication tools and platforms allow people to connect and build relationships and communities regardless of geographical proximity or shared physical spaces. In rural Kansas, it was powerful to watch a community coming together physically. It left me contemplating community.

What keeps coming to mind for me is the phrase “it takes a village.” To live a good life, we need the base of self-care and the love of family and friends. But a community, not just individual families, plays a role in fostering well-being. A community has the power to sustain its members through shared experiences and leveraging the collective strength of individuals within the group. The strength and value of a community is a collective objective to build a different future together. Strong community bonds can ignite change and drive progress. When people come together, amazing things can happen. 

Community is the foundation of connection. Community is crucial for both personal and professional well-being. Opportunities are born from communities. In a workplace, community can extend beyond mere camaraderie to offer a sense of belonging, connection, and support. However, building a strong sense of community at work is getting increasingly harder in a transient workplace, where a job for life is no longer a reality and with the rise in remote work. The nature of work has shifted, reducing opportunities for everyday social interaction.

Yet, work is where the body is for most of the workday; where we spend most of our waking hours. Finding a sense of community in a transient workplace can be challenging, but it's possible. And it’s important for mental and career well-being. Building community strengthens relationships, combating social isolation. Nurturing bonds and cultivating interpersonal relationships encompass a sense of purpose, engagement, and fulfillment in one’s work and career, all of which contribute to physical, mental and spiritual health well-being.

Although nothing is permanent, and everything is transient, invest in cultivating connections and building bonds with your colleagues. Even brief moments of shared activities can return lasting feel-good memories. So, make an effort to get to know your colleagues outside of their role’s responsibilities and to generate opportunities for interpersonal connection.

Here are the Three “To Be’s” of a community mindset:

Be an Active Participant: join office social activities and attend events.

Be a Positive Influence: exude positivity through your actions, words, and attitude.

Be Your Authentic Self: create connections that feel genuine.

Use every available space and medium to cultivate your community at work. Remember: we are stronger together.