The Power of Community

About the Author

Howard Partridge is an international business coach with coaching members in over 100 industries across nine countries. He is a best-selling author of seven books and serves as an executive vice president of Ziglar, Inc., and director of training operations. Partridge is also the founder and president of Phenomenal Products, Inc., which focuses on helping business owners and leaders enhance their organizations through improved leadership skills and systems.

Main Idea

The essence of The Power of Community is that creating a sense of community within an organization can transform it by fostering deeper connections among employees, which in turn drives engagement, innovation, and growth. Partridge argues that in an increasingly disconnected world, building a workplace community is crucial for employee satisfaction and business success. He outlines a step-by-step approach to cultivating a community-based culture, emphasizing the importance of leadership, support, encouragement, and accountability.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Why We Need Community
3. Leadership Is Essential for Building Community
4. How We Lost Our Sense of Community
5. Phenomenal Leaders Build Real Relationships
6. Three Keys That Unlock True Community
7. Six Steps for Building Community
8. Develop Your Community Systems
9. Create Your Community Brand Experience
10. Conclusion

Analyzing and Explaining Key Ideas

Introduction

Partridge begins by addressing the paradox of modern connectivity: despite being more connected through technology, people feel more isolated than ever. This disconnection impacts teamwork and overall business performance. He proposes that creating a genuine sense of community at work can counteract this trend, leading to happier employees and better business outcomes.

Why We Need Community

Partridge highlights the importance of community in combating employee disengagement, which is at a record 70 percent. He emphasizes that people are inherently social beings who need to feel valued and connected. A strong community within the workplace can re-engage employees by making work more meaningful and fulfilling.

"The solution is to define your culture and create a sense of belonging by creating a culture of community." - Howard Partridge

Leadership Is Essential for Building Community

Effective leadership is the cornerstone of building a community. Partridge argues that leaders must first become better leaders themselves before they can change their organization's culture. This involves having a compelling vision and being able to communicate it effectively. When employees feel they are part of a vision worth sacrificing for, they are more likely to go the extra mile.

"Phenomenal leadership is creating a community experience that inspires the team to implement." - Howard Partridge

How We Lost Our Sense of Community

Partridge traces the loss of community back to the Industrial Revolution, where people became cogs in the wheel of industry. The rise of technology further eroded face-to-face interactions, making people more accustomed to virtual relationships. He emphasizes that real relationships cannot be replaced by virtual ones, and building a sense of community is essential to counteract this trend.

Phenomenal Leaders Build Real Relationships

Building real relationships is key to creating a sense of community. Partridge notes that leaders must value people for who they are, not just for what they do. This involves developing trust and respect and recognizing the inherent value of each individual. Leaders should strive to build meaningful personal relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.

"Positive relationships are built on trust and respect. Before we care for something, we have to value it." - Howard Partridge

Three Keys That Unlock True Community

Partridge identifies three keys to creating a true community: support, encouragement, and accountability. These keys help build a sense of belonging, which is the foundation of a strong community.

• Support: Helping team members achieve their personal and professional goals.
• Encouragement: Inspiring team members to take on challenges and pursue their dreams.
• Accountability: Providing feedback to help team members grow and develop.

Six Steps for Building Community

Partridge outlines six concrete steps for building a community within an organization, each tied to one of the three keys.

Step 1: Value True Community

The first step is to value true community. Leaders must recognize the importance of deep, trusting relationships and actively work to foster them. This involves supporting team members in achieving their goals and dreams, both personal and professional.

"Leadership is the art of getting someone else to do something that you want done because he wants to do it." - Dwight Eisenhower

Step 2: Pursue Champion Connections

Pursuing champion connections means intentionally investing in relationships that can become strong alliances. This starts with selecting a few loyal leaders and expanding from there. Sharing your vision and values with these leaders helps build a strong foundation for the community.