Jonathan 'Yoni' Frenkel’s Post

Relationship does not necessarily mean community. This last weekend I was listening to someone talk about bumping into a former colleague. They lamented how, over the years, their efforts to maintain communication and friendship had felt one-sided. I listened as they recounted the conversation from their chance meeting then chimed in when they decided to put the blame for the disconnect on themselves. My words surprised even me: “Maybe you are not part of their community.”   I spent much of the week reflecting on that comment and trying to make sense of this idea of community. I've come to the realization that it is important to know where one stands in the lives of others and to act accordingly. It is possible to know someone, by choice or kinship, but have no mutual benefit arise from that connection. In such instances, there is little drive from one or both parties to seek the other out. However, community is different. It goes beyond mere connection by recognizing that - for me to thrive in this space we jointly occupy, I must actively engage with you and you with me. A symbiotic relationship emerges in which both parties thrive through communication and shared or reciprocated value. In community, relationships are always bidirectional and mutually beneficial. Community takes time and effort from both parties to build and maintain. Over the last three years, I have been intentional about cultivating networks around my interests and work. Reflecting on the nature of these networks, I realize that my emphasis has been on community building. I may not have been able to articulate it at the time, but I was searching for reciprocal relationships with like-minded people - individuals with whom I could grow while also contributing to their development.  While knowing someone serves as the first step toward community, it’s essential to recognize that not all relationships lead to a sense of community. So as these ideas continue to clarify, I am more confident and comfortable with the choices I’ve made and will likely continue to make into the future.  I'm curious to hear your thoughts on community. What has your experience been in building meaningful connections? #WeAreAwec #CommunityBuilder #CommunitySeeker #Community #BuildingMeaningfulConnections #ReciprocalRelationships #IntentionalNetworkBuilding #PersonalGrowthThroughCommunity #PersonalGrowth Image “Designed by Freepik" www.freepik.com

i saw this on threads: networking has killed the concept of genuine friendship. living in a big city, you do need community. community includes family, friends, co-workers, clubs/groups, and professional networking but i noticed that some people take it too far by disguising yourself as a friend but what you really want is to social climb. we're all here to help each other but one-sided relationships built on the fact that we're both founders, black, women, work in a specific industry ends (with me at least) today. the conversation of maliciously networking, social climbing, building up your connections etc isn't often talked about as i feel some people don't want to come off unfriendly, but with my newly discovered *boundaries* i'm putting my foot down. if we're not hitting each other up to check in, supporting each other's content, making plans to meet in person, doing 1/1s, i do not know you (respectfully) here's a few tips on building connections for the girls. - ask them if they'd like to do an intro call - engage with their content / share their content - asking how you can support them - tag them in opportunities that best fit - send a friendly hello - offer SOMETHING how to NOT genuinely build connections: - following and unfollowing people - following all of their friends/ connections to be noticed - reaching out to only ask for things / when you need something - excluding others based on quite literally nothing - stealing content / ideas how to seek friendship: (loosely) - connect on a common interest - ask for that person's personal contact - offer support (not trauma bonding) - spend time together online/ in person getting to know each other outside of work i hope this helps and you have a great Wednesday! #communitybuilding

Meet this connection with incredible energy! 🔥 I had the pleasure of meeting her IRL! For dinner and tea (Yes, I'm a tea lover too!) 😜 DIANE and I spoke on Zoom a few months back. I had no idea she's been following me for about a year on LinkedIn. Found that out yesterday. Said my content resonated with her. Hearing that left a big smile on my face. We (you and I) will never know the true impact we'll have on someone. We may think that what we're doing/saying is no biggie, but to others, it's a BIG deal. You may think no one is watching, but they are. People don't need to comment or like a post to see or feel your value. They still engage by reading and listening. When they come back, it's because they're gaining value from what you're doing. The same applies to community building. When you create and build an inclusive space that's warm and inviting, a space to belong, to connect with no judgments, no labels, and no negativity... People will more than likely come back. How can you do this? By accepting people as they are, By embracing their journeys and stories, By allowing people to share their interests, and their talents/skills. Show people that they're part of the bigger picture. What Diane doesn't know is that she made an impact on me with her words. Almost left me in tears. (I get mushy, can't help it) To build community is to be people-centered. Community lies at the heart and center of your people. 💜 Without them, there is no true community. 𝗪𝗵𝗼'𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗥𝗟 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂? Tag them! #community #communitybuilding #socialimpact #connections

Community engagement and consultation 101: (For no particular reason) 1) It is not consultation if you are putting forward a proposition, and defending it. 2) If people are not hearing or listening to what you're saying, it is on you to find another way to say it. 3) Authentic community engagement first and foremost requires that you put your ears on, and leave them on. 4) Fail to do any of the above, and the engagement will both fail, and be seen as a sham. 5) None of this is hard.

Who you surround yourself with and where you spend your time shapes your success. Positive people = positive energy = positive outcomes. Action: 📌 Upgrade your circle: Seek out those who inspire and challenge you. 📌 Design your space: Create an environment that fuels your goals. 📌 Join the right community: Find your tribe and unlock new opportunities. You are the average of the 5 people you spend the most time with. Choose wisely! By Tavinder Singh

In the tapestry of life, each thread of connection we weave with others strengthens the fabric of our personal and professional worlds. Building meaningful relationships isn't just about networking; it's about nurturing bonds that inspire, support, and uplift us. Let's dedicate ourselves to being present, listening deeply, and showing empathy. In every interaction, there's an opportunity to create a positive impact. Remember, the strongest foundations in both life and business are built on trust, respect, and mutual understanding. By valuing every connection, we not only enrich our lives but also empower those around us to achieve greatness. Together, let's build a community where every relationship is a source of strength and inspiration. #RelationshipBuilding #ConnectInspireGrow #CommunityStrength #DreamBuildersCommunication

Want an authentic way of creating powerful change in your life? Change who you surround yourself with. Connect with 4-5 other people in the same local area that you live in. Make sure they have; - Similar Goals - Similar work ethic - Similar values - You enjoy being around them Then…. - Spend Time getting to know them - Uplift one another - Ask what they are working on - Ask how you can help - Check on their progress. Power Move 👇🏻 Once you’ve built these relationships, start getting this group of people together on a regular basis. 🔥You’ve just created a powerful circle of friends who are go-getters, who can not on social together, but create powerful change in one another’s lives. Creat the community you need to thrive, to grow, to succeed. Want to know more? Ask me how I can help you create this community. #communityimpact #communitydevelopment #connection #mindsetmastery #personalgrowth #confidencebuilding #grouptraining #transformation

At yesterday's church service, I found pausing and reflecting on the banner reflecting my church's mission statement for this year. I've seen it countless times and yet, something about it resonated more deeply with me. This is to be the "Year of Engagement" for all of us. As an introvert, it takes me much energy to reach out and engage with people, even those I care about. I've also often joked with my family and friends that I don't want to see or speak to anyone after a long day of coaching sessions and this includes my kids! For introverts, the concept of engagement can seem daunting. It often brings to mind extroverted activities like large gatherings, public speaking, and constant socializing. However, engagement is not about how many people we interact with, but the depth and authenticity of our connections. Engagement means being present, actively listening, and connecting with others on a meaningful level. It is about quality over quantity, where even a single, genuine conversation can be more impactful than numerous superficial ones. Here are some of my thoughts on how I engage with others. I start small intentionally. I ask myself what will be beneficial and valuable for the other party in this interaction with me. These small steps create a foundation for deeper connections. I leverage technology and engage with my connections in numerous ways without being overwhelmed by face-to-face interactions. I know nothing can replace face-to-face interactions but this helps me when my energy is low. Sharing our thoughts and experiences can be powerful. Writing articles, sharing insights on social media, or participating in discussions helps us connect with others who resonate with our perspectives. It also allows us to contribute to conversations in a way that feels authentic and comfortable. Engagement is a pathway to personal growth. By connecting with others, we gain new perspectives, learn from different experiences, and challenge our thinking. These interactions help us grow, both personally and professionally. Everyone needs a community to belong to, even introverts like myself. Engaging with others builds a network of support. Having a circle of trusted individuals who understand and support our journey is invaluable. These connections provide encouragement, advice, and a sense of belonging. At its core, engagement is about relationships. Meaningful relationships enrich our lives, providing joy, support, and fulfillment. As introverts, we may seek fewer but deeper connections, and these relationships can be incredibly rewarding. My church's mission statement of "Year of Engagement" has taught me that engagement is not about fitting into extroverted norms, but about finding ways to connect that feel authentic and fulfilling. We have the unique ability to build deep, meaningful relationships that matter to us. #engagement #insights #reflections #coaching #impact #introverts #mindset

This has long been one of my favorite principles and something I stand by. It is about surrounding yourself with great people that can push you outside your comfort zone and people who can help you get stuff done. But more importantly, it is about surrounding yourself with people that see greatness in you. The same greatness you see in yourself. There is no other bet I would ever make more than on myself and those around me that have always seen that same greatness in me have helped me along the way! Key Takeaways: 1️⃣ Bet on yourself, it is the best bet you will ever make 2️⃣ Build a network of people who will push you, help you get stuff done, and help uplift your confidence when you start not believing in yourself 3️⃣Learn from those that have done it. They typically give back and share on places like LinkedIn 4️⃣ Join Communities like Pavilion RevGenius 5️⃣Never give up on yourself #motivation #community