Jeep, CrossFit, Peloton, LuluLemon, Harley Davidson – all powerful communities! Ever wonder what makes a great Community?
I had the opportunity to play chess with my friend Kenny Bollin at the Chess Forum in NYC. I didn’t have a prayer.
Kenny is a competitive club-level player with a US Chess Federation (USCF) rating of 1520, placing him in the intermediate range among club-level players. He’s participated in 54 events over the past year. His recent performances include winning the Afternoon Action tournament with a perfect 3–0 score.
I don’t know what any of that means, but I’d say the kid is pretty good.
As soon as I sat down at the chessboard, it felt like I had a room full of friends. People were using terms like F6, material, and gambit. And after listening to Kenny, I started to pick up the lingo.
The mantra of the players in the room is to keep playing, get better, learn, and have fun. The room screamed Community. In fact, anyone can just walk into the club by themselves, sit down at a chessboard, and someone will walk over and have a game with you.
Just like that.
What makes a Community? Think about Communities that you’re a part of and see how many of these characteristics below are in play!
COMMON LANGUAGE
Sometimes a secret wave, knock, gesture, or handshake. The Jeep wave! Sometimes it’s a bit secretive. What happens in Fight Club…
VIBE
The positive energy and feel of the room. The focus is almost exclusively on the task at hand whether it’s fitness, riding your bike cross-country, or F6.
DEMOGRAPHIC
It goes beyond wearing the same uniform or having the same tattoo although that can be a part of it. Birds of a feather.
ORGANIZED
There is a specific way to sign up or register, engage through chats, online groups, mixers, face to face meetings, or just showing up for a match. Always something going on!
GRAVITY
It feels like there is a magnet pulling you into an exclusive club. You want to be part of the group or wish you were in a position to be a part of the group.
WAY OF THINKING AND BEING
The group’s views on the thing are the same or very similar. Basically, you are all raving fans of that one thing and all that’s related to it.
PASSION TO IMPROVE
Reading, following, and keeping up on the trends, updates, and changes. You also want to spend time with the leaders and the best of the best.
FEAR OF MISSING OUT (FOMO)
You look forward to being there. And when you can’t be there, you feel like you’re missing out.
Yes, there is a lot to a thriving Community!
What is YOUR favorite Community? Comment below!
