Thank you for joining my weekly Ponderings, always written from my heart on a Monday, fresh thoughts and reflections that I want to help in a world that can be emotionally disconnected.
Today, I find myself reflecting deeply on what it means to truly belong, to be part of a community where you are not just a member, but a valued individual that knows others sincerely have your back. This pondering is inspired by a sentiment I’ve found deeply moving in both the real and reel world, the assurance of “I’ve got you.”
“I’ve got you”
The words “I’ve got you” come up a lot in a show I watch called Chicago PD. The phrase “I’ve got you” is stated when they find a victim, and it never fails to make me cry, and I have watched all 12 series! Those words they say are more than reassurance, they are a lifeline. That moment signifies a commitment to care and protect, mirroring the core of what every meaningful community should offer.
“I get you”
Similarly, in a Netflix dating show, ‘Love Is Blind’. when someone says, “I get you,” it marks a moment of true understanding and acceptance, a foundation upon which trust and relationships are built.
These moments I witness, both in dramas, reality shows and of course within our own community, remind me that beyond the superficial (and also important), interactions of social media, the LIKES and comments, the essence of real connection lies in the depth of our interactions. Social media can nudge us, to be known, to enable us to share widely, and in a sense build trust, but the deep, impactful bonds that truly sustain and support us through life’s challenges and joys come from a place of genuine engagement and mutual care.
In our home lives
When a trauma or disappointment, or even a celebration in your life happens, you know who to contact, the people who will be there for you. Happily, we have all witnessed an increase in men supporting men in life. Thomas loves his Group mountain biking with a wonderful group of men on a Saturday and the chat is the most powerful part.
Are you mirroring this behaviour in your work life, do you build deep, meaningful relationships based on trust and giving time to each other?
It’s not always easy to achieve this for some
Lately, our community has experienced a couple of members departing under economic pressures. Of course, all communities have churn, but the absolutely common thread is that they are less engaged. They don’t make it to any of the in-person lunches, to the co-working day, to the P2P learning zoom sessions, or to the deep conversations we host online.
Yet, those who dive deep into our community, who actively participate and lean on their friends, find growth and success even in challenging times. This dichotomy highlights a vital lesson: being part of a community isn’t just about signing up; it’s about showing up, sharing vulnerabilities and needs, and contributing to the wellbeing of others.
The feeling of being there for each other in meaningful ways is a business need, the same as it is in your home life, when trauma or opportunities come into your life, you know who to turn to, but what about in your business?
Anyone can Google you, but is that enough?
Let’s not forget also, and we have so many case studies of this, business transactions accelerate when people know you and like you, anyone can Google for a skill, search on LinkedIn for an expert, but in a world that has become reliant on social media and emotionally disconnecting due to time, business is still done through finding someone that they can trust, and in B2B, always through the people they know and like.
Create a home, like a family
This week, let’s pledge to be there for each other. To say “I’ve got you” and really mean it. Let’s deepen our connections beyond the digital and build a culture of care, understanding, and, most importantly, love in business. Because at the end of the day, we all need to feel that we belong, that we are understood, and that someone genuinely has our back. We all need love.
As always, I am eager to hear your thoughts. How has being part of a community impacted you? How can we better support each other in fostering an environment of trust and mutual respect?
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