The Importance of Building Trust and Empowering Contributors in Communities

The Importance of Building Trust and Empowering Contributors in Communities

Subscribe to Sequoia's newsletter. These words caught my attention and sparked my curiosity. As I entered a meeting with a positive outlook on what the company could become, I couldn't help but ponder over the future we were creating. What type of future did I want to live in? And more importantly, what type of future did I want Sequoia to help create?

To answer these questions, I had to dig deep and ask myself, "Why now?" What had changed in the market or ecosystem to uniquely enable this opportunity today? Why couldn't it have been created three years earlier or three years later? Reflecting on the success of technology giants today, I realized that they had always taken advantage of a key enabler - a technology advancement, a social or cultural shift in consumer behavior, often both.

It dawned on me that most consumers are simultaneously neophilic - curious to discover new things - and deeply neophobic - afraid of anything that is too new. The best hit-makers in the industry are gifted at creating moments of meaning by marrying the new and the old, anxiety and understanding. In essence, they are architects of familiar surprises.

However, creating a successful community goes beyond just understanding consumer behavior. Communities thrive because of their contributors. People only contribute to communities if they trust that their time and energy are going to be put to good use.

Trust is the cornerstone of any community. It is the foundation upon which positive behavior cycles are built. Community members need to trust that their contributions will be put to good use, that the intentions behind the community are earnest, that the community is capable of achieving its goals, and that the people in the community share the same values as they do.

But trust is not something that can be built overnight. Communities only become real when they achieve their first win. Enthusiasm alone is not enough to keep a community alive. We need to ask ourselves, "Why this community?" and understand what people want to achieve and how the community is going to help them do so. It is crucial to ensure that the goals of the community align with the goals of its members.

One way to build trust and empower contributors is by giving them a voice and influence over what matters and what is to be executed. By doing so, we prove that the goals of the community matter and that their contributions are valued. Real trust is only formed when we put the interests of others over our own.

Unfortunately, even really smart people can fail to build successful communities. This is often due to unrealistic expectations of the process required to build a community, trying to copy what other existing communities are doing, or prioritizing the appearance of a community over creating real value.

To avoid these pitfalls, here are three actionable advice for building thriving communities:

1. Focus on building trust: Trust is the bedrock of any successful community. Prioritize transparency, open communication, and follow through on commitments. Show community members that their contributions are valued and put to good use.

2. Understand the goals of the community and its members: Take the time to deeply understand what people want to achieve and how the community can help them do so. Ensure that the goals of the community align with the goals of its members to foster a sense of purpose and commitment.

3. Empower contributors and give them a voice: Allow community members to have an influence on what matters and what is to be executed. Create opportunities for collaboration and decision-making. Putting the interests of others over your own will foster trust and engagement within the community.

In conclusion, building successful communities requires trust and empowerment. By understanding the needs and goals of the community and its members, and by prioritizing transparency and collaboration, we can create communities that thrive. Let us strive to be architects of familiar surprises, creating meaningful moments and shaping the future we want to live in.