I have been looking back on my career as a community psychologist and executive coach over the past 25 years, and I’ve been reflecting on how I built the LeadersConnect community. In a recent conversation with my friend and colleague, Kemper Sosa, we explored the process behind it. You can watch our discussion here.
What I’ve realized is that the same process I used to grow LeadersConnect is one I’ve used time and again, going all the way back to my high school days in the 1960s. Here’s how that process unfolds:
1. Start with the Individual
It always begins with a person—someone with a goal, trying to understand how to overcome the obstacles in their way. I listen closely to their challenges and aspirations.
2. Form a Core Group
Once I understand those individual stories, I bring together others facing similar questions. These small groups share common values, concerns, and ambitions.
3. Facilitate Connection and Conversation
In these small gatherings, I facilitate meaningful conversations where people exchange ideas, offer feedback, and begin to support one another. This is where the connection begins.
4. Introduce Thought Leaders
As trust builds, I invite respected voices: authors, educators, and community leaders to bring fresh insights and perspectives to the group. Their ideas spark new ways of thinking and acting.
5. Expand the Community
Now, the group includes not only the original members but also the thought leaders. This expanded circle becomes a community of like-minded individuals committed to mutual growth.
6. Invite New Members
The community continues to grow by welcoming new participants, people who bring new energy and build upon the foundation already laid. Simultaneously, we continually bring in new thought leaders who can bring in new ideas and spark the conversation.
7. Ideas Spread Outward
The participants in these groups take what they’ve learned back to their own workplaces, families, and communities. They become carriers of insight and positive leadership practice.
8. A Ripple Effect of Learning
As these ideas spread through broader networks, they elevate the knowledge, values, and leadership capacity of entire communities.
What begins as a single connection can grow into a network of shared purpose. Over time, this process enriches not only individuals but entire communities. LeadersConnect has been one expression of that journey, and it continues to evolve.
If you wish to become a member of LeadersConnect, please contact me directly.