Strength in Numbers: 5 Reasons Strong Leaders Need a Community

It was February 3rd, 2018. The temperatures in Raleigh, North Carolina, were below 18 degrees Fahrenheit (-8 degrees Celsius). I had to endure the pain of the wintry weather to be on time for a keynote speaker during the Symmetry Financial group annual gathering.

Having secured a VIP ticket, I could not wait to hear John C. Maxwell share stories of life-changing principles on growth and leadership.

John spoke on many things that day. But above all else, I remember how he highlighted the importance of the Law of Environment: “Growth thrives in conducive surroundings.” If we want to grow, we need to associate with expansive people further along in their growth journey than ourselves – people of integrity who are positive, more successful, and constantly growing.

In sociology, our social circle – the group of people we habitually associate with – is called our “reference group.” A study by a social psychologist Dr. David McClelland of Harvard University found that the single most important factor in success is your reference group. In fact, this group determines as much as 95 percent of your success or failure in life. And of course, the legendary Jim Rohn taught that we become the combined average of the five people we most often associate with.

Successful people are intentional about their choice of friends and associates. Your reference group often becomes your community, and your community changes your life trajectory.

Who is in your community?

Your community provides opportunities to build relationships, share experiences, develop talents, and work together toward a common goal. It’s a place where we need to complete one another, rather than compete with one another. And a good community should create a growth environment for others – growth should be encouraged, modeled, and expected. Are you in the right soil to grow in? 

Some of the ways an individual can benefit from a solid community are:

1. KNOWLEDGE.

A community is a depository of knowledge which compounds consistently as members share their experiences and work together. It acts as a fertile ground which enables someone to meet teachers and connect with mentors. Henry Brooks Adams said, “A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his influence stops.” Also, one has the opportunity of learning new skills from the collective knowledge and the gained experience of the overall group.

2. CONNECTIONS.

Being in a community increases chances of encountering positive opportunities through the relationships we develop there. By engaging with others in your community, you can expand your personal and professional networks. In his book Powershift, businessman Daymond John and writer Daniel Paisner emphasize the importance of building relationships: “By growing relationships from a place of service, you will not only make yourself a more desirable partner or collaborator, but also establish a foundation of trust and goodwill you will be able to draw on if you’re ever in need of a good turn.”

This kind of connection creates a “relationship capital” – the value created through building and maintaining relationships with people over time. The connections developed can influence someone’s net worth due to the fact that people do business with those they know, like, and trust.

3. INSPIRATION.

Communities usually have a diversity of opinions, ideas, knowledge, culture, and backgrounds which bring forth creativity and innovations. Taking a look back at history, it is evident that the most influential people in the world never achieved anything alone, but understood the power of the company they were keeping. For example, industrialists Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Harvey Firestone used to travel and vacation together. No wonder these notable influential figures achieved so much in their lifetime – they understood the power of a good community!

4. SUPPORT.

For positive achievements to be realized, it takes plenty of mental, physical, and emotional energy. When life throws a curveball and the pain is unbearable, a community of shared values and interests is able to shield one from the harshness of life. In her book Believe It, Jamie Kern Lima emphasizes the importance of a network of authentic friends: “They show up for me fully, and I show up for them. They sharpen me. They remind me that I’m enough, both on the good days that make my highlight reel and the bad days when I can’t get out of bed.” Anyone would wish to echo these words within their community.

5. TRANSFORMATION.

Being in a community creates an awareness which can lead someone to attain transformation to improve their life. In the book Change Your World, John Maxwell and Rob Hoskins explain the powerful influence of community. They introduce the concept of “transformation tables,” where people come together to learn values and improve their lives. They share that “transformation happens one table at a time.” Each transformation table doesn’t need to have many members, meaning any person desiring to learn about values to improve their life can start one with their friends. At a transformation table, people are able to connect the gained awareness to application. In a group of people who trust each other enough to be vulnerable, we are encouraged to change.

Are you looking for a community of growth-focused, goal-oriented leaders?

Expand your circle and connect with other effective leaders from across the globe when you attend Day to Grow. Maxwell Leadership’s full-day conference in Orlando, Florida, features some of today’s most sought-after experts and thought leaders, including author Malcolm Gladwell, Olympian Chaunté Lowe, and of course, John C. Maxwell. Get your tickets here today!

John N. Ndwiga is an Executive Director and a member of President’s Advisory Council (PAC) of the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team. He specializes in facilitating, speaking, training, and coaching individuals and groups in the areas of leadership development, professional skills, and personal growth. He helps individuals, companies, and organizations build stronger teams in order to improve productivity, performance and profitability.  He has an extensive knowledge working with non-profits as a resilience specialist to help individuals and teams achieve their goals and objectives. He lives in Raleigh North Carolina, USA.

References

Maxwell, C.J. (2022). The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth (10th Anniversary Edition). New York: Center Street.

Maxwell, C.J, Hoskins R. (2021). Change Your World. Nashville: Harper Collins Leadership.

Daymond, J. (2020). Powershift. New York: Penguin Random House LLC.

Lima, J.K. (2021). Believe It. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc.

Zumbrum, F. C. (2006). Camping with Henry and Tom. Maryland: Department of Natural Resources.