Episode 332: How to Build a Community That Builds You
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In this Workday Playdate, Erin explores a leadership truth that’s impossible to ignore right now: leadership can be lonely, and white knuckling it solo isn’t something you need to keep doing. In a world where burnout is high and connection is low, this episode unpacks how building the right community reduces isolation, increases resilience, and fuels confident, human-centered leadership.
Erin shares a practical four-step framework for cultivating a leadership community that surrounds you and strengthens you.
The Loneliness Paradox
Leadership is a team sport. Isolation erodes engagement, resilience, and decision-making. Community restores it.
Decide Who You’re Becoming
Before you find your people, clarify your direction. Community should match your growth edge.
Normalize Honest Feedback
Trust deepens when vulnerability is welcomed and feedback is expected. Learn how peer coaching, shared scenarios, and real talk accelerate leadership development.
Audit Your Energy
After every interaction, ask, “Did that energize or drain me?” Erin introduces the difference between “treadmill friends” (growth-focused, forward-moving) and “couch friends” (comfort-only connection) and why it's helpful to curate intentionally.
Leadership Playground
Erin introduces Leadership Playground, a monthly space designed for real-time leadership reps, honest dialogue, and mutual investment.
Your Playdate Practice
First, write down the people who you interact with the most in professional settings. Second, ask yourself, “Do they challenge me? Do they support me? Do they inspire me?” Third, reach out to one leader and say something along the lines of, “Hey, how are you? I’m genuinely interested in your answer. Also, could you help me with X? I’m feeling like I need a little more help in this area.”
Your Freebie
You want to support your people the same way you want to be supported—but in fast, emotionally charged moments, the right words can be hard to find.
Enter, your free resource - Human Leadership in the Age of AI: An Empathy Playbook. It gives you a simple, 3-part list of human-first phrases you can use in meetings, emails, and one-on-ones.
Empathy isn’t extra anymore. It’s essential. Download your Empathy Playbook here.