The comic Larry David said he had only one New Year’s resolution that stuck - even years after it was first hatched. “Pee before you leave.” He explained that living in New York made it impossible to know how long it would take to get from point A to point B. This resolution gave him great relief both mentally and physically. Memorable. Practical. Impactful.
If I could impact one thing in 2024, it would be to help your firm strengthen your community. Your team needs it. Individuals crave it. And, leaders are all quickly losing their muscle to sustain it.
We know that being in the company of others can increase endorphins, reduce loneliness, broaden our horizons, and strengthen our resolve.
Comm-Unity
In the workplace I think of it this way. Community starts with thoughtful and robust communication that then builds unity.
A healthy community begins with creating conditions where people are comfortable sharing, exploring, questioning, and problem solving together. In order to do this, we must understand group dynamics such as - groupthink, power dynamics, psychological safety, and the difference between people who ‘speak to think’, versus those who ‘think to speak’. Without understanding these dynamics even the best communication intentions will fall flat and fail.
If your firm only focuses on one thing this year, I suggest it be learning about and building a strong and supportive community. The business and personal payoff will be exponential.