3 Lessons From 15 Years of Community Building — for Anyone Leading With Purpose
Fifteen years ago, I stepped into the professional world as a volunteer with nothing but curiosity, passion, and a desire to help people feel seen and supported. I never imagined that journey would shape my purpose, my career, and my voice the way it has today.
Today, during my birthday livestream, I shared three reflections that have consistently guided me through community building, and they are lessons I return to again and again.
Today, I want to share them with you too.
🌿 1. It’s Never About You — It’s Always About the People You Serve
Community building is not a spotlight position.
It’s stewardship.
It’s a service.
It’s the gentle, intentional act of centering the cause and the people, not yourself.
When you remove ego from the work, something powerful happens:
People feel safe.
People feel seen.
People feel like the community belongs to them, which is exactly what keeps it alive.
My biggest growth came when I stopped asking,
“How can I be more visible?”
and started asking,
“How can I help others shine?”
🔗 2. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work, Even If Everyone Gives Just 10%
This one took me years to understand.
When you give 100% to something, it’s easy to expect the same from others. But people show up from different circumstances, with different energy, different capacity, and different lived experiences.
And that’s okay.
Some people will give 50%.
Some 20%.
Some only 10%.
Take it.
Honor it.
Appreciate it.
Because a community is a mosaic of small contributions, and those 10%s add up faster than you think.
Many communities crumble because the leader burns out trying to carry everything.
Delegation isn’t a luxury; it’s a lifeline.
🌍 3. Don’t Judge People, Welcome Them
Community is built on belonging.
People can only learn, grow, and contribute when they feel safe when they feel welcomed without fear of being judged.
I have learned to meet people where they are, not where I think they should be. To embrace their stories, their struggles, and their strengths. To create spaces where everyone feels valued, regardless of where they are coming from.
When people feel comfortable, they don’t just attend;
They participate.
They learn.
They share.
They lead.
Belonging transforms quiet members into confident contributors.
🌱 Final Reflection
Fifteen years later, community work has become more than a passion for me. It has become my purpose and my calling. These lessons continue to shape how I build, how I teach, and how I lead.
If you are building a community, online or offline, I hope these reflections help you navigate the journey with more clarity, compassion, and confidence.
Here’s to the next chapter.
Here’s to people.
Here’s to purpose.
🌿 If this story resonated with you…
I share more insights on community strategy, purpose-driven work, and sustainable leadership in my newsletter.👉 Join my community of learners & leaders:
https://maryjob.com/circleOr explore how we can work together to build communities that last — and pay:
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