Last month we discussed potential opportunities resulting from new beginnings. There are times when fresh perspectives or different approaches can yield innovative and more ideal outcomes at major milestones. In the context of seizing opportunities, our environment, surroundings, or community can play a crucial role as well.

The Concept of Community

There are various theories about the concept of community. A community can be a geographic place, idea, or way of aligning, thinking, and acting as a group. People are social and desire to belong and connect. Community is a means to do so.

My view is that a community is defined by like-minded individuals who come together and share common values, behaviors, culture, or other tangible or intangible characteristics. A community exists in the physical built, or virtual space. Communities range from simple to complex and enable people to show, learn, change, and grow.

Communities of Place, Practice and Interest

Three community types are relevant in this discussion, communities of place, communities of practice and communities of interest. Place is the easiest to conceptualize, as it is used universally to define geographic location, for example, an area of a city or region.

Practice relates more to a profession, domain, or area of subject matter expertise. Organizations may use communities of practice to further develop or automate business or industrial processes.

Interest is connecting or networking because of experience, passion or desire to share information in a specific interest area. There are other views and dimensions of community that can affect organizations. Building community in any of its various forms can result in significant growth.

IMC USA Offers Framework for Consultant Communities

IMC USA is a broad community of interests, practice and place. IMC USA offers a framework for members to name and engage in communities to bring like-minded people together for the benefit of the group, organization and profession. The future depends on us being open, collaborative, and connected. Exploiting the concept of community is a valuable framework for engagement.