A One-Word Cure for Isolation and Loneliness
My friend Charles Vogl is an expert on how to foster strength, resilience and adaptability in a broken world. I initially met him after he wrote the bestselling book, The Art of Community: Seven Principles for Belonging .
He is a deep thinker grounded by the realities of what does—and does not—actually work. Organizations such as Google, Airbnb, Amazon, Yale, Harvard and Stanford count on him to help them harness the power of community.
Every conversation I have with Charles is deep, and I've had many. But none have impacted me as strongly and clearly as a short segment on his new speakers reel . (Side note: a speaker's reel is a short, four or five-video that promotes a speaker and their most engaging presentations).
"I want to share an idea with you," says Charles, "that—if you use it—will destroy isolation and loneliness wherever you are. And when I share it with you, it's going to sound too simple to some of you, but I promise you, if you use it, it will work.
"It's called invitation. An invitation is a request to spend time where the person invited knows that someone cares if they show up.
"We're giving a data point to the people that are invited... that someone in the world thinks they belong."
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He's not saying to merely invite people to your next event or party.
He's saying to do it in such a manner that it is obvious that you WANT them to be there, that you want them to be a part of your community.
Again and again, I have seen people I consider to be popular and successful be moved by an invitation. This has taught me that there is a tremendous difference between being busy versus having a strong sense of belonging.
In our culture, belonging is elusive.
But each and every one of us can fix that. The key is to stop waiting for others to invite us, and to instead take the initiative and invite them. But don't merely invite them to attend an event; invite them to be a part of your community—however you define it—and be sure to demonstrate that it matters greatly to you that they accept your invitation.
You can learn more about Charles at his web site . And please tell him I said hi.
Chairman at Cornerstone College of International Studies
4 个月Useful tips
Chief Copywriting Officer & CEO of CaringMessenger Copywriting/Christ-Centered/Upside-Down Eternal Lens Leadership| Foodie for Fun #YDHTCIA (you don't have to carry it all)
4 个月Truth?? People want invitations. Permission slips. They want to belong. To love and be loved is the greatest gift and invitation.
Community Builder across the Business of Law
4 个月Thanks Bruce Kasanoff for reminding me of the power and nuance of the Invitation. It's part of connecting and connection. Which leads to relationships and belonging. The only thing I love more then inviting others to my events is being invited to theirs.
My vision is to facilitate value creation through collaboration and development of human capital – realizing human potential
4 个月Thank you for sharing your experience working with Charles Vogel and his work.
| TSNU| HARVARD University-HKS-ALUMNA | Adjunct Professor- Harvard University(HSPH), CXO(NM), Behavioral Scientist (GAABS)Practitioner(Leadership Excellence & Behavioural Sciences), Business World, Conrad Foundation
4 个月Beautiful thought-inclusion is so importnat