As someone who used to build executive communities for C-level professionals, I wholeheartedly agree that everyone - even those that are seemingly in positions of power - need community. Actually, I was always blown away by how many execs don't really know what they're doing. For example, a lot of them used to be an expert in A, B, or C. Now, they're in the top seat of a functional department (like the GC/CLO, CFO, etc.) and they need to be an expert in A, B, AND C. That's just hard. And lonely. You can't go to your colleagues and admit that - hey, I have no clue what I'm doing. You certainly can't go to your CEO or board members. So where do you go? Your group chat with others that may or may not be in the same position. Or, you join an executive community like the one I used to run where everyone has your title / position at a relevant company. Your peers. In many situations, we were a lifeline for these folks, especially when Earth-shattering things happened like Covid's outbreak, the effective repeal of Roe v. Wade, or the fall of SVB.
Very interested in this Community Entrepreneur idea but would love more clarification! Would it help someone interested in breaking out into community consulting for various clients, becoming a CM on a freelance basis, something else entirely...?
I run men’s groups for dads (it’s call Council of Fathers). Sometimes the groups a compromised of men with less emotional intelligence and self awareness and other times we have groups of men who have a lot of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. At first I had the thought the more skilled groups of dads don’t “need” it as much, but I’ve come to see that just because their baseline is higher doesn’t mean they don’t deserve and need deep connection.
(Slightly different “type” of example, but maybe worthwhile)
As someone who used to build executive communities for C-level professionals, I wholeheartedly agree that everyone - even those that are seemingly in positions of power - need community. Actually, I was always blown away by how many execs don't really know what they're doing. For example, a lot of them used to be an expert in A, B, or C. Now, they're in the top seat of a functional department (like the GC/CLO, CFO, etc.) and they need to be an expert in A, B, AND C. That's just hard. And lonely. You can't go to your colleagues and admit that - hey, I have no clue what I'm doing. You certainly can't go to your CEO or board members. So where do you go? Your group chat with others that may or may not be in the same position. Or, you join an executive community like the one I used to run where everyone has your title / position at a relevant company. Your peers. In many situations, we were a lifeline for these folks, especially when Earth-shattering things happened like Covid's outbreak, the effective repeal of Roe v. Wade, or the fall of SVB.
Thanks for sharing that experience Talia. Amazing example.
Very interested in this Community Entrepreneur idea but would love more clarification! Would it help someone interested in breaking out into community consulting for various clients, becoming a CM on a freelance basis, something else entirely...?
I was thinking more to help people launch independent community businesses like I did with CMX.
Would be branded communities like Sales Hacker, Tech Ladies, Ministry of Testing, Chief, Makerpad
Or creator led communities like Lenny Rachitsky's paid membership, Building a Second Brain, Jay Clouse's Creator Science Lab, etc.
I could help people become community consultants but it's not really my zone of genius and I'm not sure how big that business would be.
But you tell me, what are you most interested in?
I run men’s groups for dads (it’s call Council of Fathers). Sometimes the groups a compromised of men with less emotional intelligence and self awareness and other times we have groups of men who have a lot of emotional intelligence and self-awareness. At first I had the thought the more skilled groups of dads don’t “need” it as much, but I’ve come to see that just because their baseline is higher doesn’t mean they don’t deserve and need deep connection.
(Slightly different “type” of example, but maybe worthwhile)
Yup that’s another great example. Dads 100% need community too.
This is weird and honestly comes off as so “white lives matter.” ⍨