The Importance of Community: Why Community Matters

A community is a social group where people share things in common, like their geographic location, culture, heritage, government, religion, values, identity, work, or other common interests. Community is the thread that brings people together.

Community matters because it creates a sense of purpose, builds social connections, and offers a support network. Communities can also:

1. 1. Allow you to respond to change: Individuals might struggle to manage crises alone. However, with the help of a community, members have more people to rely on, which can help them be more resilient in times of strife.
2. 2. Boost empathy: Joining a group can help you create a sense of empathy. As you see others face difficult times, you may feel motivated to put yourself in their shoes to better offer support.
3. 3. Bring fun into your life: Getting together virtually or physically to discuss funny circumstances or celebrate important moments can bring joy to your life. These occasions quickly become happy memories, which can leave you feeling happy, refreshed, and less stressed.
4. 4. Give you a sense of belonging: Spending time with like-minded people positively impacts your attitude and overall well-being. It can foster togetherness and show you are not alone, which can give you a stronger sense of identity.
5. 5. Help your mental health: Loneliness increases feelings of anxiety, depression, and isolation. A sense of connection with other people can make you feel less lonely and ease stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
6. 6. Lead to a new viewpoint: While people in community share things in common, they are not the same person. You may find yourself pushed outside of your comfort zone and face-to-face with a wealth of new ideas from a diverse group of people. This will help you come across new viewpoints.
7. 7. Make you a better communicator: Immersing yourself in any community requires that you communicate your thoughts clearly. It also means learning how to actively listen to community members and build relationships with them.
8. 8. Offer support: Sometimes you need someone to whom you can turn. Maybe you just need to complain after a long day of work, or you need advice on how to solve a problem. Perhaps you want to swap stories. In good times and bad, communities provide support.
9. 9. Provide professional development: Many professional organizations provide mentorship, leadership opportunities, and resources to help you advance your career.
10. 10. Push you to take action: People often build communities to drive change. For example, your local PTA may work to raise funds for the local school, while an environmental organization may focus on a park cleanup. Groups drive community change, social justice, and community service and foster an overall healthier community.
11. 11. Reduce the risk factors of chronic disease: Public health studies show that social isolation correlates with chronic physical health conditions like heart disease, high blood pressure, immune disorders, and cancer.

If you don’t feel particularly passionate about any hobbies, you can try to build a community based on where you live:

• Rural communities: Rural areas have fewer people residing in them. A rural community can allow you to meet and develop strong bonds with people outside your social circle.
• Suburban communities: People in suburban areas can find common ground through shared experiences, such as going to the same school or working in the same geographical area or industry.
• Urban communities: Millions of people live in urban areas like New York City, which can make it difficult or overwhelming to make new friends or connections. However, transplants to a metropolitan area or those who have lived in the area their whole lives can join groups to find others who can understand their experiences.

Many different types of communities exist. Some groups have more of a structure, such as religious organizations, co-op organizations, parent-teacher associations, trade organizations, governments, and health care organizations. Others—like social networks, study groups, and groups of close friends—are more informal. Here are a few types of community you can join:

1. 1. Coworking spaces: Coworking spaces attract freelancers, people who work remotely, and those who aim to build a business of their own. Say you want advice on how to raise funds for your business, or you want to prove to your boss that you are productive away from the office; being in community with others who have navigated these challenges can prove fruitful. Many coworking spaces exist physically—often with private booths, shared workspaces, and lots of coffee—but many digital spaces exist as well. These spaces offer inclusivity for remote workers.
2. 2. Professional networks: Individuals can pay to join professional membership organizations in their industry or join them free of charge. These professional networks often host networking events, conferences, and workshops, which grow people’s professional community.
3. 3. Sports club: Joining a team—such as an adult soccer league—can put you in community with people who share your same interests. You can bond over the sport and fun memories you have as a team.
4. 4. Volunteer organizations: You may start a volunteer organization or go through a nonprofit to tackle social justice issues or complete a community-service project. Either way, it is a chance to connect with others who want to make a difference in the world.

Practicing empathy can help you lead more effectively while building stronger relationships across the personal and professional facets of your life. Challenge your perceptions with the MasterClass Annual Membership and take lessons on emotional intelligence from Pharrell Williams, Roxane Gay, Gloria Steinem, Dr. Cornel West, Walter Mosley, Robert Reffkin, and Robin Arzón.