As technology continues to advance the definition of community and connection seems to change. Is chatting on Facebook true connection? I guess that is a question that each of us need to answer on our own. For me, I desire more face to face connection that has meaning and involves community. Merriam-Webster defines community as: an interacting population of various kinds of individuals (as species) in a common location. Our place of residence is a community and there are sub – communities that exist for special interests, mountain biking, climbing, dancing, arts, music etc. Within each of those communities there are opportunities to help and support each other as well as experience things that bring us joy. Each community can become a support structure as we move through life, an opportunity to share our strengths as well as strengthen our weaknesses. Our place of work is also a community, in most cases this is where we spend a significant portion of our time. I really believe that we are meant to connect to each other in meaningful ways that allows all the possibilities of creativity to flourish. We each hold a piece of the puzzle that will influence our communities as well as the world we live in. When we come together through community we have an opportunity to see how our individual pieces contribute to the whole. This can create outcomes that would not be possible without connection. When I lead workshops one of the powerful truths that often come to the surface for the participants is the knowing that they are not alone and that others are facing the same challenges. From this place there is an opportunity to create something together that is much more significant than something we try and achieve on our own. The formula for this type of creativity is 1+1=3... 3 because the two individuals each contribute something unique to the end result.

Henry Kimsey-House is one of the co- founders of The Coaches Training Institute which is where I did my coach training. This video does a great job of explaining co-active coaching principles.