This keynote address was presented by Dan Ulman, one of the founders of Pelotonia.org and LiveStrong.
He defined communities as the lifeblood of humanity, but claimed that there is a disconnect between technological connectedness and real community connectedness. There is a difference between a community and a crowd. In a crowd, each person is trying to get ahead of someone else. But in a community, everyone must work together to succeed. So, how do we build community? Here are some points that stand out to me.
- “Just do something.” People have a hard time asking for help. We have a responsibility to help those who are going through the same thing. This is “obligation of the cured” and is a quote from an oncologist.
- People are looking for a community. They want to be surrounded by people who understand the journey. They want to participate in a long-standing community that allows them to accomplish something that they cannot accomplish alone and provides a constant routine where you can feel a part of something bigger.
- People want to share their story. All you need to do is ask.
- Fear of failure stifles creativity. No one remembers the failures.
- If you can provide someone a personal benefit, it drives activity and consistency rises over time.
Unlocking the Power of Community – Keynote Summary