The 100 Percent Rule That Makes Life a Lot Easier: A Guide to Community Management

The 100 Percent Rule That Makes Life a Lot Easier: A Guide to Community Management

In life, it's often easier to hold our principles 100 percent of the time than it is to hold them 98 percent of the time. This simple truth highlights the power of situations over our internal desires. Situations create pressure, external expectation, and other factors that can sway our decisions. Not knowing the outcome of our behavior can create problems in our confidence and identity.

Imagine repeatedly failing to commit fully to a decision or goal. This can lead to confusion in our identity and a lack of confidence. As Robert Brault wisely said, "We are kept from our goal not by obstacles but by a clear path to a lesser goal." It's essential to recognize that motivation requires simplicity, while complexity kills motivation.

To build confidence and maintain motivation, we can learn from Michael Jordan's approach. He once said, "Once I made a decision, I never thought about it again." This mindset emphasizes the importance of making a decision and moving forward with it, 100 percent committed. By doing so, we eliminate the doubts and uncertainties that can hinder our progress.

Furthermore, instead of making decisions based solely on our current desires, we can consider how our future self would want to remember this situation. Putting ourselves in our future self's shoes can provide valuable insight and help us make better choices. Similarly, considering what a respected person or mentor would say in the same situation can offer a fresh perspective.

Now, let's shift our focus to community management. What does it entail, and why is it crucial in today's world? Community management revolves around fostering connections between users or members of a community. It involves interventions to facilitate new connections, maintain existing ones, strengthen bonds, and reorganize relationships as needed.

Communities can be classified along two axes: dynamic/static and purpose/emotional attachment. Additionally, communities can also be categorized based on interest, place, action, or practice. Understanding these different dimensions allows us to tailor community management strategies to specific contexts.

So why is community management important? The underlying reasons are similar to the importance of customer success. Just as customer success focuses on ensuring the satisfaction and loyalty of customers, community management aims to create a sense of belonging, foster engagement, and cultivate a positive experience for community members.

Communities hold a wealth of knowledge and expertise. They are a collective pool of wisdom that individuals can tap into for learning and growth. By actively participating in a community, individuals can benefit from the shared experiences, insights, and resources available.

When it comes to business-to-business (B2B) purchasing processes, referrals play a significant role. In fact, 84% of B2B purchases begin with a referral. Furthermore, 81% of individuals trust business advice from friends and family members. This data underscores the importance of community in the business world. A strong and engaged community can significantly impact the success of a business.

However, it's important to note that not all community members contribute equally. The 1-9-90% rule highlights that only a small percentage of community members actively contribute, while the majority are passive participants. Community managers should be aware of this imbalance and strive to create opportunities for increased participation and contribution from all members.

Over time, communities can experience decline and stagnation. This can happen due to factors such as member burnout, a degradation of purpose or interest, or changes in the composition of community members. Community managers must stay vigilant and proactive to prevent or address these issues, ensuring the long-term health and vitality of the community.

To conclude, the 100 percent rule by Clayton Christensen provides a valuable strategy for avoiding decision fatigue and building confidence. Applying this principle to community management, we can see its relevance in fostering strong, engaged communities. By simplifying our decision-making, considering our future selves, and actively participating in communities, we can navigate life and community management more effectively.

Actionable Advice:

1. Embrace the 100 percent rule in your decision-making process. Commit fully to your choices and avoid second-guessing yourself.
2. Put yourself in your future self's shoes when making decisions. Consider how your future self would want to remember the situation and let that guide your actions.
3. Actively participate in communities and contribute to their growth. Strive to be part of the 1% who actively contribute, as your involvement can make a significant difference.

Remember, life becomes easier when we commit fully, simplify our decisions, and actively engage with the communities around us. So, embrace the 100 percent rule and unlock the potential for a more fulfilling and meaningful life.