Tough Conversations - Group Chat

​After having a few chats with community builders this week, I realized we needed a space to lean on each other and get support through the gnarliest challenges. Community building looks like a ton of fun on the outside, but those of us running them know this work is not always easy. Humans are complicated, group dynamics are tough. I do not have the answers, but I'd love to bring us together to chat through some of our hardest problems.

​This session is open to anyone running a community.

​This session will not be recorded.

​We may not need 90 minutes, but I've carved out this much time for the group! Please show up at the start of the event, we'll lock the Zoom doors at 12:40pm PT.

​All attendees will be asked to follow these conversation guidelines:

​1. **Show up for each other.** Did you know a big part of psychological safety among a group is dependability? Life happens, but showing up regularly allows us to go deeper and support each other in powerful ways.

​2. **Share the space.** Together we work to divvy up time, making sure there is equal space for all voices. We'll speak up when we feel someone is having trouble grabbing the mic.

​3. **Practice active listening.** Listening is the most important part of a conversation! Anticipate moments of silence, we often need time, if we're truly listening, to understand the speaker and then formulate what we have to add.

​4. **Respect confidentiality.** We should expect that our conversation stays within the group. We don't record meetings and we don't share anything discussed in the group with others.

​5. **Prioritize inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility for all members.** Look out for opportunities to adjust your own behavior, and if any behavior, way of sharing or learning, can be adapted or corrected, let the group know.