When it comes to communities, there’s a common belief that they can be “built.” But is that really true? Or is the process of creating a community more about influencing emergent behaviors rather than constructing something outright? Let’s explore this tension by putting the concepts of building and influencing communities in direct conflict.

The Myth of "Building" Communities

The phrase “building a community” suggests that it’s something you can construct like a skyscraper: laying down blueprints, stacking bricks, and seeing results once the final block is placed. But here’s the issue: communities aren’t static structures. They’re living systems, made up of people with emotions, personalities, and complex social dynamics.

In reality, the core of any community lies in emergent behavior. Communities form when individuals interact based on shared interests, values, or goals. These connections aren’t forced; they arise naturally, often in unpredictable ways.

Think of your favorite communities—whether online forums, local organizations, or niche groups. Did they form because someone declared, “This is now a community”? Or did they grow organically because people resonated with each other and the shared purpose they discovered along the way?

The truth is, attempting to “build” a community can feel artificial if it doesn’t account for this emergent, human-centered nature.

The Power of Influence and Leadership

If you can’t build a community, what role can you play in its formation? This is where influence and leadership come into play. While you can’t force a community into existence, you can create the conditions that allow one to thrive.

Influence is about shaping the environment and fostering connection. A leader provides the initial spark—a shared purpose, platform, or set of values—that draws people in. But rather than controlling the group’s direction, the leader’s role is to nurture the relationships and interactions that emerge.

Take any thriving community, and you’ll find signs of this approach. Great leaders don’t micromanage every interaction; instead, they create the frameworks—shared rituals, norms, or spaces—that empower members to connect and build on their own.

Imagine tending a garden. You don’t “build” the plants, but you do cultivate the soil, provide water and sunlight, and remove weeds. The same goes for communities: you cultivate the right conditions and let people grow into the group naturally.

The Conflict: Can You Really Lead What You Don’t Control?

Here’s where the friction gets interesting. If communities are emergent, does that mean leadership is powerless? On the contrary, leadership is often the invisible hand behind a community’s success.

Consider the balance between perception and reality:

• The perception is that communities grow organically, as though leaders play no role.

• The reality is that effective leaders influence the process from the background, creating the frameworks and opportunities for members to interact.

Take online platforms like Reddit. At first glance, it seems like a free-for-all where communities form on their own. But look closer, and you’ll notice the careful rules, moderators, and cultural norms that steer interactions. These subtle influences keep the chaos productive without undermining the emergent nature of the group.

Leadership here is less about control and more about guidance—a delicate dance between encouraging autonomy and offering support.

The Practical Takeaway: Stop "Building," Start Cultivating

So, if you want to grow a community, what should you do?

1. Start with a Purpose
   Every great community begins with a shared purpose or value. Offer something people can align with, but leave room for them to shape it in their own way.

2. Focus on Connections, Not Construction
   Don’t try to control every detail. Instead, focus on facilitating meaningful interactions. Provide platforms, spaces, or rituals that encourage people to connect authentically.

3. Embrace the Emergent
   Accept that some of the best parts of a community can’t be planned. Be open to surprises, adapt as the group evolves, and resist the urge to over-structure.

4. Lead Lightly
   Leadership is about influence, not micromanagement. Guide your community with a light touch, setting the tone and vision while giving members ownership of the journey.

Final Thoughts: Building or Leading?

The idea that communities can be “built” is rooted in the desire for control. But communities aren’t products or projects—they’re living, breathing systems that thrive on emergent behavior.

What’s your role, then? To influence, not dictate. To lead, not build. A great community is one where the members feel ownership over its identity, and the leader’s role is to make that possible.

The next time someone talks about “building” a community, ask them this: Are you constructing something static, or are you cultivating something dynamic? The answer might change how you approach the challenge.