Stop Letting Your Community Culture Happen by Accident

Stop Letting Your Community Culture Happen by Accident

Recently in my weekly All Things Groups session, I lead a mini-series on group culture. Most aspiring peer community leaders don’t realize that a great group culture doesn't just "happen." It has to be designed and built. If you leave the most important parts of your community to chance, you’re taking a huge risk with the group’s future.

I define culture as a collection of shared values, beliefs, and behaviors. If you don’t clearly communicate and live out these principles, your group will eventually turn into something you never intended. To build a community that truly thrives, you have to stop being an "accidental" leader and start being an "intentional" architect.

In my groups, I lead with two non-negotiable values: Generosity and Growth. These aren't just fancy words on a slide. They shape everything we do—from our meeting agendas and who we let into the group to what members expect from one another.

The "Reverse Engineering" Hack

If you’re struggling to name your top values, look at what gets under your skin. Frustration is usually a sign that one of your core values is being ignored. I realized I value Generosity because I feel annoyed when people "gatekeep” most of their thought leadership content. I also dislike when I sense a “scarcity" mindset about money or potential members —as if there aren’t enough people in the world to serve to make the money we hope for. (Spoiler: There is.)

My value of Growth pops out to me when I encounter someone with a "fixed" mindset or when I find myself being fixed. (See Dr. Carol Dweck’s book Mindset.) When people care more about being right than being creative, resourceful or growth-oriented, I’m put off. This irritation is actually a gift. It’s a signal that while those people might be great in the grand scheme of things, they just aren't "my people."

By reverse-engineering your frustrations, you can create a filter for your membership that actually works. Don’t just gather people; lead them. Take the bull by the horns and design a culture that reflects your highest standards.

If you want to discuss topics around launching and running a B2B peer community, come visit All Things Groups. We meet on Tuesdays and everyone is invited to visit twice at no charge.