A Third Place
How is your summer going so far?
A new coffee shop opened in my hometown. It's a sweet little spot right on the trail, serving coffee, acai bowls in bright colors, and smoothies with names like Chunky Monkey and Summer Forever.
In addition, they're offering book clubs and walking meet-ups and viewing parties for Love Island.
It's more than a coffee shop; it is aspiring to be a Third Place.
This single coffee shop has the potential to be transformative to the area.
Not only is there now a new spot for coffee and smoothies and acai bowls, but there is a new hub for events and activities and connection and community.
I've been thinking about the way that a single coffee shop has the potential to transform the feeling of a city, just as a single leader has the potential to transform the feeling of a company or a team.
As leaders, we can “create the thing we wish existed” with our teams, in the same way that this coffee shop owner has created the thing that she wished existed within the community.
If we desire more transparency within our organization, we can start by being more transparent.
If we want to see more recognition and appreciation of great work, we can start by recognizing and appreciating our teams.
If we want a culture of curiosity, we can start by asking better questions.
Often, we can create the thing we wish existed by starting small, and starting with what is within our circle of influence.
What is something you wish existed—in your team, your organization, or your community—and what would it look like to begin creating it?
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