In this episode of the Good Leadership Podcast, host Charles Good and guest Dr. Karla Van Hevel discuss the importance of building a sense of community in the workplace, especially in today's dispersed work environments. They explore the definition of community, the benefits of fostering it, and practical steps leaders can take to cultivate a strong workplace culture. Karla shares insights from her research and introduces her Workplace Community Insight assessment tool, emphasizing AI's role in strengthening community connections while preserving the human element.

TAKEAWAYS

• Building community is essential for employee engagement.
• Community in the workplace can enhance trust and reduce turnover.
• AI can facilitate connections but should not replace human interaction.
• Understanding how employees define community is crucial.
• The 'BRING' method helps leaders foster community effectively.
• Leaders should prioritize getting to know their team members.
• Community-building requires ongoing effort and consistency.
• Successful organizations often have strong community cultures.
• Assessments can help measure and improve the workplace community.
• Creating a sense of belonging can lead to better organizational outcomes.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Building Community in the Workplace

07:09 Defining Community and Its Importance

10:34 Leveraging Technology for Community Building

13:57 Assessing Community with the Workplace Community Insight

14:37 First Steps to Cultivating Community

16:36 Key Insights and Takeaways