The Endurance of Community
Three experiences and a common thread
This week was full of meaningful moments that didn’t come from my usual routine, but they left a deep impact:
I spent time at the WorkHuman conference.
I watched my son graduate with his Associate’s degree in Automotive Technology
I attended my uncle’s burial at Arlington National Cemetery.
What tied these three very different experiences together was the reminder that it’s not just the events themselves—but the people we experience them with—that matter most.
At the conference, they expected about 4,000 professionals to gather—people who pour their energy into improving the world of work. This natural community, anchored in a shared philosophy of keeping the human side front and center while navigating new technologies, reminded me how energizing it is to be with people who “get it.”
At the graduation, the sense of community was even more personal. Families, friends, teachers, and mentors gathered to celebrate a milestone. The speaker emphasized how teamwork and collaboration matter as students step into their next phase. These accomplishments didn’t happen in isolation. They were the product of support, encouragement, and belief.
And at Arlington, I had the privilege of witnessing a ceremony for my uncle, a Vietnam veteran. The community of military personnel who executed the service—19 people in total—operated with reverence, precision, and respect. That, combined with the presence of friends and family sharing stories and standing with one another, was a powerful reminder of community built on service and sacrifice.
We thrive when we’re in community with others. Even those of us who identify as introverted or more self-driven find meaning and comfort in being connected.
We’re not meant to navigate our journey alone.
Our endurance as leaders—whether for ourselves, our families, or our teams—is strengthened by the people who walk alongside us. Those who show up in the tough moments, cheer the wins, or simply listen when needed.
As we design strategies to sustain our leadership, community must be a core pillar.
As you reflect on your own journey—personally and professionally—how intentionally are you building and leaning into your community?
Thoughts for Reflection
"Connection is why we're here; it is what gives purpose and meaning to our lives."
— Brené Brown
"There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." — Margaret J. Wheatley
Announcements
📣 Don’t Miss This Session: The May Leadership Endurance Round Table will be this Wednesday, May 21st. Based on your questions from the Career Endurance post, we will tackle this topic since we all need a career endurance plan and understand how we best support our teams. You can register for this session and future ones with this link.
Leadership Learning Content
Articles
Curation is the new leadership superpower. Here are 3 ways to adopt a curation mindset
“The future of leadership is about curating the best insights, talent, and ideas, not dictating the direction. The best leaders will be those who act as architects of collaboration, assembling diverse perspectives and fostering an environment where expansive thinking thrives.
This shift in leadership isn’t just about delegation—it’s about creating conditions for continuous learning, adaptability, and innovation. Leaders who embrace a curation mindset are best equipped to drive organizations forward in an unpredictable world.”
Podcasts
If you missed past podcast episode recommendations, you can find them here.
Looking for other valuable resources we offer? Check out all of the resources here.
If you want other resources to read or watch, check out My Favorite Things list here.
If you missed this week’s daily content, you can find the notes here or see below for individual notes:
Tuesday:
Thursday:
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