November, 2024.

Dear Reader,

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What is a Community?

In Lincoln Island's framework, community building (CB) is a pillar of entrepreneurship. Like any concept, CB can be interpreted in many ways. But CB isn’t networking. It’s not about building databases of contacts either.

At its core, CB is about actively participating in groups united by shared interests or objectives. In a true community, members understand that they both give and receive, yet it’s never merely transactional.

Take Aurora Coworking, for example. As a Coworking space, it offers members shared infrastructure and a place to work—valuable services, but these alone don’t make it a community. Aurora's culture and business model encourage members to take initiative, care for the space, and connect genuinely. Members come from different professional backgrounds, yet they find common ground in addressing an often-overlooked issue: a sense of loneliness. Through shared conversation and support, they create a place to belong, a place to feel safe being themselves, and a space to build relationships without expectation of return.

The power of inclusion, tolerance, and community.

Ray Oldenburg, in The Great Good Place, describes this dynamic well: “In the third place, conversation is the primary activity, and the talk is generally valued for its own sake.”

And further:

“Community is based on shared places, not shared desires. A good community gives everyone access to the company and conversation of others.”

This book, considered by many the inspiration behind coworking spaces, describes these as "third places"—spaces that are neither home nor the traditional office. By existing outside typical boundaries, third places like Aurora Coworking nurture the authenticity and connection essential to true community.

My mom, for example, is in her seventies and engages with different communities, from her yoga class to lifelong friends. They come together to celebrate, catch up, and support each other. She has a more socially vibrant life than many of us.

Participation in a community isn’t about finding jobs, selling, or gaining influence. These benefits can happen naturally from interacting with others, but a community is quick to sense hidden agendas, which can feel manipulative. Help is offered when available, freely, not as a precondition.

Communities are essential because they provide the support network we all need to address anxieties and doubts. Within a community, we see we’re not alone, and we recognize that each of us has something valuable to contribute.

The role of a community manager is crucial, whether formal or informal. I’m not talking about marketing, social media management, or audience building, but about someone who deliberately nurtures a culture of ownership, initiative, diversity, and inclusion. And of course, any member of a community can take that role.

When starting a community, many confuse leadership with authority, often defaulting to hierarchical structures like those in business. In my experience, hierarchy can inhibit community building, where each person should participate freely, and unconditionally. Often, the push for hierarchy is just an attempt to offload responsibility—something that goes against the heart of a thriving community.

In conclusion, a community is a group united not by transactional needs or hidden agendas but by a shared sense of belonging, purpose, and support. It’s where people come together around common interests and values, knowing they can both give and receive in a space that feels safe, inclusive, and welcoming. True community thrives on genuine connections, mutual support, and the freedom to participate openly. It’s less about structure and more about shared spaces where people feel seen, heard, and valued—where every member, simply by being present, contributes to a collective sense of resilience and vitality.

I wish you a great November!

Sincerely,

Jose.