Tuesday, October 29, 2024

I’ve been thinking about community, and ties that bind.  During times when life is rolling along relatively smoothly, we tend to think about community less often.  While we play a role in each of our communities, we often we move through them mostly by rote.  Yet when an extra dose of life’s turbulence hits us, and we need to lean into the support of our communities, the true value of our connectedness becomes apparent.  In times like those, when our footsteps grow uncertain, we are held up and carried along by our strong and supportive communities.

The same is true for life’s celebrations.  They’re made better, richer, more textured when celebrated with your tribe, your peeps, your homies.

That’s why each fall, we host a gathering of professional women for our Women’s Leadership Summit.  It’s a place where learning and growth happen, intentionally.  Where the a-ha moments are frequent and where you’ll feel the shift in someone when she says “Oh!  I’ve never thought about it that way before!”  It’s where a lot of work gets done.  It’s a place where we slow down together, really listen to each other and ourselves, and give each other the patience and grace to say things like “I think I’m following you, but I want to be sure.  Can you say that another way?”

We emerge with strategic plans to execute when we get back home.  We help hold each other to account and keep each other honest with our assessments.  We learn how to communicate better, to negotiate more effectively, to do public speaking with confidence.  We bring home materials and put them to work teaching our colleagues; compounding the power of what we’ve learned.

And then, because just once a year isn’t enough, some of us also meet virtually each month.  To ensure our learning is continuous.  To help keep our goals and projects on track.  To celebrate our wins.  To invest in a community that pays us back dividends.

So that’s what we will be up to this Sunday and Monday in Cleveland.  If you know one of the 100 or so women who are attending, let her know you’re excited to hear about her experience.  If you’re one of the companies who are sending their staff, or are a summit sponsor or partner, thank you.  The 48 hours of intensive work we’ll do together will be beneficial to the companies these women serve.

Investing in a community, counting on the support of a community, and yes, sometimes borrowing the strength of a community when you need it, are some of the most rewarding parts of life.

A special thank you, too, to those of you in this Tuesdays with Mary community who sent such kind words of condolence regarding the loss of my brother.  I do love the way we help make each other stronger.

Until Next Time,

Mary Schuster
Chief Knowledge Officer
October Research, LLC