Better Inputs, Better Outcomes: Talk to Your Community

Community has many superpowers, but the most impactful can also be the most uncomfortable for you as a leader: talking about your work inside the community.

What could happen? What will they say? Will I be judged? Will this even be helpful?

This anxiety is totally normal, but it's not actually protecting you. It's preventing you from tapping into the value your members bring to your work.

Your People are an Accelerator

If you work without tapping into the gold mine that is your community's feedback, you're flying blind. I'm not talking about NPS surveys, I mean discussions of what they need and how you are making it / curating it.

These meetings and moments are opportunities for you to learn and for your community to grow. Conversations about your "shared future" help align member desires with your attention. It gives your membership a sense of ownership on what's happening, and naturally creates informed advocates to help communicate to other members.

Building this into your regular work cycle also helps to build confidence and trust. This will be invaluable should you ever have a moment of crisis.

Listening Up

Why It Rocks: Opening the floor to your community's thoughts is like unlocking a treasure chest of insights. You'd be surprised at the genius ideas they're sitting on.

This may take some time, but it's usually because both YOU and your MEMBERS are getting used to this type of engagement.

Action Steps

• Schedule regular feedback sessions and make them fun and engaging - once a quarter is great.
• Use polls or surveys for quick temperature checks on new ideas - a monthly feedback form is easy to implement.
• Set up a dedicated 'idea box' channel in your community space - a great place to direct and hold conversations on idea.
• Don't Forget: Actively acknowledge and thank members for their input.

Setting Boundaries

Balancing Act: Input is golden, but remember, you're the captain of this ship. Setting clear boundaries ensures you steer the conversation constructively without letting it go off the rails.

If required, you can always follow up with someone after the session. To help guide you, have a clear idea of what it is you want to address. I also recommend that you initiate the session with a brief presentation or your thoughts first to set the tone.

Action Steps

• Be clear about the kind of feedback you're seeking.
• Gently guide discussions back on track if they wander.
• Remember, it's okay to say "Thanks, but that's not the direction we're headed."
• Don't Forget: Follow up with the folks who might need a check in.

Building Trust

Trust Is Key: Showing that you value member input doesn't just make them feel all warm and fuzzy; it builds trust. And in a community, trust is everything.

The best part of this process is that trust is simply a byproduct of what you're doing. You're having conversations. You're discussing opportunities, capturing feedback, and then creating something more relevant.

It's a positive flywheel for relationship and community growth.

Action Steps:

• Share back how you've implemented feedback.
• Create success stories around member suggestions.
• Be transparent about what you can and can't do.
• Host a 'You Asked, We Delivered' session to showcase changes.

The Final Word

This process is how you turn casual members into die-hard fans.

By making the effort to Build With instead of "for," you're co-creating a dynamic, responsive ecosystem where everyone feels like they have a stake.

When people feel that connected and invested, the sky's the limit for what you can achieve together.