Being a leader means you are accountable and need to stay in touch with so many people: teammates, customers or clients, stakeholders, investors, the board of directors, and the wider community! Having positive working relationships with all of these people is crucial to build community, above and beyond just supporting your organization’s misson. Creating strong community engagement starts with transparency and trust.
Cate Reed, seasoned administrator, current Senior Vice President of Teach For America, and Possip Reporter, shares tips for leaders to foster community and support.
And while there are so many people who count on you, it can also be lonely. There is only one top leader, and the buck stops with you – the good and the bad. The average tenure of many chief executives only lasts a few years. It can be a really hard, and at times, a very isolating job.
However, there are ways to keep the job engaging and even fun (sometimes!). Leaders can employ various strategies to stay in close touch with those people they are serving. That proximity can build up resiliency in an otherwise very hard job.
Build Community Through Communication
- Newsletters: Sending out newsletters via email or traditional mail can keep your internal and external communities informed about events, updates, and important information.
- Social Media: Utilizing platforms like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram can help leaders communicate with stakeholders in real-time. Share updates, photos, and engage with questions or concerns.
- Virtual Town Halls: Hosting virtual town hall meetings allows leaders to connect with teammates in today’s hybrid working world. A virtual setting invites people to express concerns, ask questions, and receive updates directly in an interactive format.
- Personalized Communication: Tailoring communication to the specific needs and preferences of stakeholders or partners can enhance engagement and connection. Our data shows people served by organizations typically respond to text more frequently than email. Also consider phone calls or video messages.
Be Curious, Available, and Receptive!
- Surveys and Feedback Forms: Sending out surveys or feedback forms allows folks to express their opinions, concerns, and suggestions. Leaders can use this information to better understand the needs of the community. (And Possip’s platform helps leaders save time by organizing all that information into useful trends and insights!)
- Open Office Hours: Setting aside specific times for your employees, program participants, or partners to schedule virtual or in-person meetings can provide an opportunity to build community through direct communication and problem-solving.
- Community Events: Attending and participating in community events, such as fairs, festivals, or neighborhood gatherings, allows leaders to engage with stakeholders and teammates in a more informal setting.
Overall, staying in touch with stakeholders strengthens the partnership between leaders and the people they work with and serve. It takes effort, but the payoff can be a positive culture which ultimately contributes to the success of your organization!
