Summary
Doing good service design is hard. You know what makes it easier? Having a supportive community of smart and generous professionals who are rooting for your success. In this session, we'll explore the power of professional communities, what makes them thrive, and help you decide if joining one is the right move for you. Plus, we'll share how to start and grow your own community based on the lessons we’ve learned from designing the community for in-house service professionals.
Key Insights
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49% of service designers feel disconnected from their peers, impacting emotional wellbeing and productivity.
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Feeling connected correlates with higher likelihood of getting raises and perceiving greater impact.
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Communities thrive when carefully curated to align members and maintain a safe, trustworthy space.
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A regular, predictable rhythm of sessions helps members commit and sustain engagement.
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Slow, focused communication beats constant, noisy chat channels for deeper learning.
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High-quality personal connections, including one-to-one calls, enhance member support.
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Co-creation through councils and working groups keeps communities relevant and member-driven.
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Formats like lean coffee water cooler chats and dinner table discussions offer effective peer learning.
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Service design professionals often feel isolated, especially those working solo in organizations.
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Communities that embed professional empathy and validation help members gain confidence and reduce isolation.
Notable Quotes
"Almost half of service designers say they do not feel connected to their peers – that is quite staggering."
"If you don’t feel connected, you’re standing alone looking up at the mountain, and it makes the challenge seem bigger."
"People who feel more connected are twice as likely to feel they are making a significant impact in their organizations."
"The Circle started with eight members and a single monthly session and now spans 20 countries across five continents."
"Everyone goes through an application process to join the community, which builds trust and ensures a good match."
"We’re not just gathering people on Zoom; we design the community as a service, with clear principles and structure."
"The biweekly cadence is feasible and helps members block out time to engage seriously and consistently."
"Slow and intentional communication allows you to be fully present and dive deep, not just skim the surface."
"One-to-one video calls help you build personal connections and find peers passionate about the same topics."
"Being part of the community means you’re not alone facing challenges – you have a supportive peer network."
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