Well, I went back to my post from last month  about ways to manage the stress of a chaotic time in the U.S. and since then stability feels more and more out of reach.  Another business owner I know shared how she was coping and I thought it was a very thoughtful response to what purpose driven people can do to reconnect with their core values.

This part especially spoke to me:

We all have experienced a disconnection from our core selves, our core truths, in some way or another. We call this trauma. Individual and collective trauma healing is possible through compassion, connection, and recognition. – Jenny Kellogg, Amalthea Coaching

After the election and a bunch of shell shocked zoom calls, I left for the WPO DMV retreat in Baltimore and didn’t realize until I got there and my members came rolling in how much I needed to connect with community in that moment.

Role of Community in Times of Change

Community is more than just a group of people—it’s a living, breathing network of shared experiences, goals, and support systems. During periods of upheaval, community becomes a vital source of stability.

A group of women watches a football game together

  1. Emotional Support and Connection

Being together in person at a beautiful time in a gorgeous peaceful place felt hopeful and gave us a much needed time to breathe and refocus.  On Thursday night the Baltimore chapter all watched the Ravens game together and, while I am a Commanders fan to the end, it was special to see this group of women rooting, hooting and celebrating a win together.

The next day we did a yoga class with the same woman who has led us through breathing and healing 3 years in a row and while I do yoga fairly regularly on my phone, the energy in the room was different when we could all be together. Bladen is now running her own studio and it was nice to be a small part of her entrepreneurial journey.

A Veuve Cliquot Champagne cage with Madame Cliquot featured on it

  1. Knowledge Sharing and Collaboration

It wouldn’t be a WPO retreat if we didn’t learn something so we also brought in a wine expert, Susan Lynham who brought us wines from women-owned and led wineries.  We learned about the wine and the past, present and future of women in the industry with these wines which you can get at Bin 66 in Rehoboth:

Prosper Maufoux Cremant de Bourgogne ($25)

Barbabra Ozhelt Gruner Veltliner – $20

Occhipinti sp68 rosso -$30

Catena Cabernet Franc $27

Quinta de la Rosa Estate Tinto $25

Veuve Clicquot Champagne Yellow Label $85 (the one I brought)

I’m calling out the companies that helped us because we were living our values with the companies we hired and it felt great to be supporting their goals in a small way.

Of course as entrepreneurs we always have to be ready to pivot.  We were supposed to get mani-pedis from Pamper Perfect but our technicians, sisters, were in an accident the day before. Allison, the owner, communicated with us the entire way, looked out for her staff, and while it ultimately didn’t work out for us, she handled a difficult situation beautifully.

A group of women all wearing WPO Retreat 2024 hats

  1. A Sense of Purpose and Collective Action

In times of change, this collective action can be transformative, driving meaningful progress while fostering a sense of agency and impact among members.

For the working part of the meeting, I led the group in a Strategic Planning Session where they envisioned their goals, drew them, then spoke them out loud to bring individual milestones into the collective consciousness of the women who will be supporting them in achieving them.

In the course of planning the event and being there with a dozen women, I realized that Fostering Community is one of my core values and the chance to practice it through WPO and other organizations gives my business purpose.

 

The Anchoring Power of Core Values

While communities provide external support, core values offer internal guidance. They act as a compass, pointing us toward what truly matters amidst the chaos of change.

Right after the WPO retreat, I got on a plane to Denver to represent We The Change at the Colorado Impact Days.  If being in community opened my heart to what’s next, then being with impact investors looking for creative ways to fund social ventures opened up my brain.

A group of women smiling at a restaurant

This group of visionaries is using traditional methods of finance in alternative ways to impact their community. It’s a big lift but because they are operating from their core values, they have some advantages:

 

  1. Clarity in Decision-Making

Core values simplify choices in complex situations. They help organizations focus on long-term goals rather than being swayed by short-term pressures.

  1. Building Trust and Consistency

Core values serve as a foundation of trust, demonstrating consistency in actions and decisions, which reassures stakeholders and strengthens relationships.

I found that true in We the Change and in this broader group. Knowing that our values align is like having an easy button for building trust and relationships.

  1. Cultivating Resilience

When everything else is in flux, staying grounded in your principles fosters resilience and confidence to weather storms.

While I am still anxious about what comes next I feel open to opportunities, which would have taken a lot more time if I didn’t have the fast forward properties of community with shared values.

 

The Interplay Between Community and Core Values

Community and core values are not separate entities; they interact and reinforce each other. A strong community often embodies shared values, while those values, in turn, strengthen the bonds within the community.

  1. Shared Values Strengthen Communities

Communities rooted in shared values are more cohesive and enduring. These shared principles provide a sense of unity, even when individual perspectives differ.

  1. Communities Amplify Core Values

Living your values within a community multiplies their impact. Collective action based on shared principles can drive broader change than individual efforts alone.

Strengthening Community and Core Values in Times of Change

Building and sustaining strong communities and values during change requires intentional effort. Here are some actionable steps:

  1. Foster Open Communication

Create spaces for honest dialogue. 12.5 Minutes is an example of a collaboration that came out of shared values and understanding to promote businesses that are making an impact in their communities.

  1. Identify and Reaffirm Shared Values

Regularly revisit these principles to ensure they remain relevant and guide collective action. It’s almost time for my annual wrap up of how I’ve done with spending and impact and while it’s a task to pull it together. I appreciate the time for reflection.

  1. Create Opportunities for Engagement

Strong communities don’t happen by accident—they’re built through shared experiences. Host events, discussions, or projects that bring people together and reinforce connections. Priya Jindal leads a regular discussion about DEIA with practitioners and it’s a great way to engage rather than just consume the industry news.

  1. Embrace Diversity

Communities thrive on diverse perspectives. Period. If you’re prepared to double down on diversity Dee Marshall, CEO of Diverse and Engaged, is a great voice on the topic.

  1. Lead by Example

Whether as an individual or an organization, live your values visibly. Actions speak louder than words and inspire others to do the same.