The Power of Intentionality in Professional Communities, According to Leslie Greenwood

In a recent LinkedIn post, Leslie Greenwood explores the critical role of intentionality and strategic goal-setting for individuals seeking to maximize value from professional communities. Greenwood argues that while many join communities with vague hopes, true benefit comes from a clear understanding of personal objectives and potential contributions.

Greenwood highlights a common pitfall: joining a community without a defined purpose. “They join hoping for introductions, referrals, friendships, a new job, a speaking opportunity, or simply to feel less alone,” the post states. This passive approach, according to Greenwood, is unlikely to yield significant results.

“I hope something good happens” isn’t a strategy.

Defining Value in Professional Networks

The core of Greenwood’s message centers on the idea that personal strategy dictates community success. “The people who get the most value from a strategically designed community know exactly what they’re looking for and what they can contribute,” Greenwood explains. This proactive stance is contrasted with a more passive expectation of benefits simply materializing.

Setting Clear Goals for Community Engagement

To foster this intentionality, Greenwood suggests a pre-engagement self-assessment. The post poses several key questions for individuals to consider before joining any new professional group:

• Who do I want to meet?
• What do I want to learn?
• What opportunities am I hoping to create?
• How can I share my knowledge and experience?

According to Greenwood, the perceived lack of value in a community often stems not from the community itself, but from the individual’s failure to define what value means to them. “People don’t fail to get value from communities because the community isn’t good. (Assuming it’s intentionally designed.) More often, they perceive less value because they never defined what value looked like in the first place,” the post reads.

The people who get the most value from a strategically designed community know exactly what they’re looking for and what they can contribute.

The Importance of Ongoing Communication

Beyond initial goal-setting, Greenwood also emphasizes the necessity of ongoing dialogue with community managers. As the post notes in a postscript, “Talk to your community manager. Everyone’s needs change. The community can’t change with you if you don’t share that info!” This underscores the dynamic nature of both individual goals and community offerings, advocating for continuous feedback to ensure mutual benefit.

Your intentionality determines whether you capitalize on them.

Ultimately, Leslie Greenwood’s insights on LinkedIn serve as a guide for professionals looking to transform their community interactions from passive participation into strategic, value-driven engagement. By defining clear objectives and actively contributing, individuals can significantly enhance the benefits they derive from their professional networks.