Mastering Community: The Surprising Ways Coming Together Moves Us from Surviving to Thriving

by Christine Porath

Discover just how important thriving communities are to our wellbeing and the success of organizations—and learn what steps you can take to create them—in this illuminating and empowering guide from the author of  Mastering Civility .

Despite our deep desire to feel a sense of belonging, many of us feel isolated. The rise of technology and modern workplace practices have led people to be even more disconnected, even as we remain constantly contactable. And as our human interactions have decreased, so too have our happiness levels. This is sparking a crisis in mental health that will have repercussions for years, leaving people lonelier and organizations less productive and profitable, too. What Christine Porath has discovered in her research is that leaders, organizations, and managers of all stripes may recognize there is a cost but have few solutions for how to implement the Community.

With her signature depth and grasp of research across myriad industries including business, healthcare, hospitality, and sports, Porath extrapolates from the statistics on the experiences of hundreds of thousands of people across six continents to show us the potential for change. Through uniting people and sharing information, unleashing them with autonomy, creating a respectful environment, practicing radical candor, providing a sense of meaning, and boosting personal well-being, anyone can help a community truly flourish. The applications of Porath’s findings are endless, and the stories and case studies are positive and uplifting. This insightful exploration of the real nature of community-building will inspire readers to unite and grow their communities—be it in the workplace, the PTA, sports, or places of worship—and make them thrive.

Genres: Nonfiction, Leadership, Business, Psychology, Audiobook, Personal Development

320 pages, Hardcover

Published March 8, 2022

Reviews

[AB Freeman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I no longer read "business" books like this. And actually, shame on me for relying too much on the title, rather than reading more of the synopsis. Sometimes I allow myself to let the title speak to me. That said, the information chronicled in this work is powerful, its case studies examples of the things corporations are doing right (that means you, Cisco). A few powerful notes (and there were many):

“Civility increases performance, collaboration, creativity, individual initiative, and the detection of mistakes. Such actions have positive multiplier effects in the community, rippling through our social network.”

"“neutral thinking”—a nonjudgmental, nonreactive way of assessing problems and analyzing crises."

3 stars. I think I really didn't connect with the book because I've outgrown the model it uses to express its content. Questions I had: how could this be more focused on non-corporate entities? Could the author have considered application of the principles to civil societies or localised associations? Maybe she did. Maybe I missed it. Still, the "corporate focus" really turned me off. Again, shame on me.

[Scott Wozniak · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the things I have done for a long time is build community--gathering people and going from individual relationships to a group relationship. I literally spent 3/4 of my work day (about 7 hours) yesterday on three different communities that I'm helping to build. So maybe I'm not the best reader for this.

I say that because I was underwhelmed by the the insights in this book. They were very basic. And there weren't a lot of practical examples or tools to use, either. So maybe if you're just starting, this would be useful. But if you're a community builder already, I'm not sure it's going to offer anything you don't already do.

[Lis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This took me a LONG time to finish. As an audiobook it was very slow (even at a sped-up pace), but had some definite gems in it that can be used by leaders and members of different types of communities.

[Cain · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked it up expecting some practical tips for me to use as an individual. This is a book focused on the workplace and company culture. I found the first half much more enjoyable and applicable than the second half. It felt a bit strange to have these ideas preached to me through the lens of corporate America.
If I could summarize it in a few sentences it would go like this: Hire based on character, encourage and reward healthy habits (eg. respect, selflessness, nutrition), and lead by example.
If I break it down and try to apply the lessons in the first half to my personal life, there is a lifetime of labor ahead of me, so I can’t exactly criticize *what* was presented, more-so how. This book just feels so corporate, like justifying breaks, exercise during the day, and vacations through the lens of higher productivity and work engagement. Encouraging better sleep and family connection to have happier and healthier employees. There’s something so paradoxical about needing to be told through anecdotes and studies that you need to foster healthier habits to live a healthier, more connected (work) life
This book felt like a reminder of the Marcus Aurelius quote: 'Waste no more time arguing about what a good man should be. Be one.'

[Stephanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this for a work-based book club. I selected it based on its title, thinking that as a corporate remote employee who has spent the last few years working from home and feeling sort of disconnected, this might help with tangible ways to create community.

This was much more a book of case studies and examples, and much more focused on how-to from a leadership perspective. I can suggest some of the things that struck me from this book, but since I don't lead a team, I can't just go out and start doing them.

In the end, this felt like every other business book out there, the optimization of the self, ignoring the broader societal things at play. I don't really feel like I left with actual tools or skills that I could really use.

[Tara L. Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title should read: Mastering Community *In the Workplace*. The subtitle "the surprising ways coming together moves us from surviving to thriving" adds to the misleading idea that the book is about building community in general; it's not. If you have to come together on a daily basis, ie: the workplace, the book's info is relevant. But if you picked it up thinking this is great timing for pandemic-stricken and broken communities, eh, not so much.

The pre-reqs needed to implement the strategies depends on power (management, authority) and people routinely forced to come together (the workplace).

[Leah Wescott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine reminder to attend to the fundamentals. It's great in a workplace where everyone is empowered but probably frustrating when you're in an environment that doesn't practice what it preaches (or even preach it at all). The audio book was a little clunky but I do appreciate when an author does their own reading. There are dangers in using well know people or organizations in case studies. Southwest and Russell Wilson, for example, are both under scrutiny for culture related issues that could impact the credibility of the work. Still, there's nothing wrong here. Just nothing new.

[Spacek Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book set the stage for educational learners to create a community within the school system. Many examples were provided on how leaders in business and industry built their community. The best place to start is constructing norms that all can commit to implementing, then holding all stakeholders accountable to those commitments.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

3

This read like a bunch of Harvard Business Review articles strung together. Good ideas here and there, but I don't know that I really got a lot out of the information and examples used (btw, why do lots of business books and articles use the same corporate examples over and over?).

[Ray Gates · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good read with good advice based on the anecdotes/case studies it presents. For me there wasn't necessarily any new information but it did reinforce things I've read elsewhere. Worth a read especially if the concepts are new to you.

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the E-ARC copy of this book. The rating of this book is entirely of my own opinion.

[Jessica · Rating 3 out of 5]

The information in the book was fine - although really geared toward the business world, and to managers. Nothing very inspiring though.

[Stacie · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF*

I could just not get into the topic of this book. I did try, I read several chapters. I just did not grab my attention. This one was just not for me.

[Scott Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing special. Not really any good quotes and few tips.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review To Come