Hi there! It's Stephanie :)

Lead authentically, inspire profoundly...

Author

Stephanie Kim
August 06, 2024

your weekly breath of fresh air

Welcome to this month's journey of growth and connection! 🌱 

Our focus is on community, and each week, I’ll be sharing valuable insights through
the ONA method to help cultivate the io leader within you.

The ONA method—Organize, Nourish, Authenticity—will guide us as we explore how to be your best self and lead from the inside out.

I’ve been thinking this week…

If we dig into the roots, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the word "community" comes from the Latin communitatem, which was merely a noun of quality meaning "fellowship, community of relations or feelings" [OED]. In Medieval Latin, it came to be used concretely to mean "a society, a division of people." In English, the meaning "common possession or enjoyment" dates back to around 1400. The sense of "a society or association of persons having common interests or occupations" also emerged around the same time.

In other words, a community is a group of people who share common interests or occupations. Throughout my life, I have been involved in various communities depending on my current interests or needs. Belonging to a community creates a supportive network and provides the expertise needed in each area of interest. But what is most important is that the benefits of having a community are crucial for personal and professional growth. These benefits include:

  • Support and Encouragement: Being part of a community means having a group of people who can offer support and encouragement during challenging times. This support system can be instrumental in overcoming obstacles and achieving goals.

  • Networking Opportunities: Communities provide a platform to meet and connect with individuals who share similar interests or professional goals. These connections can lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and friendships.

  • Knowledge Sharing: Within a community, there is a wealth of knowledge and experience. Members can share insights, advice, and best practices, fostering an environment of continuous learning and growth.

  • Increased Motivation: Being surrounded by like-minded individuals can boost motivation and drive. Seeing others succeed and strive towards their goals can be inspiring and encourage personal and professional development.

  • Emotional Well-being: A strong sense of belonging and connection to a community can significantly improve emotional well-being. It can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, providing a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

  • Collaboration and Innovation: Communities often bring together diverse perspectives and skills, which can lead to innovative solutions and creative problem-solving. Collaboration within a community can result in greater achievements than working alone.

  • Accountability: Being part of a community can help hold you accountable to your goals and commitments. When others are aware of your objectives, you are more likely to stay committed and follow through.

I recently joined a new community, “Confucianism for CEOs.” Once again, I can say that when you belong to the right community at a determined moment in your life, you can flourish. This idea for the newsletter started there. I believe this is possible because there are people who can guide you and bring out the best in you. Feeling nurtured by the community and safe to share anything without judgment is essential for personal and professional growth.

My hope for you is that you can find in ONA the community that enriches you both personally and professionally. I believe that being part of our community offers invaluable benefits that contribute to overall growth and success. My vision for this community is to be a safe place for intimate conversations, where you can be vulnerable, open up, and be sincere—where weaknesses become strengths. It doesn't matter who you are or what you do. I want to create a place where you can come in and take off your armor. Additionally, I aim to provide all the resources you need to become an io leader!

In conclusion, my point in this week's newsletter can be summarized in this African proverb: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” You can find your authenticity when all aspects of your life are aligned, including being part of the right community. That is when you can unleash your potential.

This week, we will delve into the first step of the ONA method: Organize.

the ONA method
ORGANIZE

What one skill = an awesome life? by Dr. Shimi Kang

TRANSCRIPT: “So what about the “O”? The O is others. And others is why — why we adapt. Dolphins are exquisitely connected to their families, their groups and their communities. But humans have forgotten that social connection is the basic of life. When we are socially isolated, it corrodes our bodies, we get sick. Being lonely is as much of a risk factor for death as smoking. Tumors in cancer patients who are lonely spread faster.

And if you don’t believe me, think of the worst form of human punishment, a torture that has been well documented to lead to complete breakdown and self-mutilation, that’s solitary confinement. When we don’t honor the basics, we are in trouble. But when we do, we are rewarded.

Social connection, contribution, meaningful relationships, not socializing superficially or social status but meaningful social bonding lights up our brains, it feels great. And we are rewarded and that is why we adapt. If you’ve ever wanted to give up and you were tired and exhausted, your connection to something beyond yourself is why you changed, why you adapted.”

My intimate journal…

This Sunday, after church service, I had a family day. We spent the whole day together because one of my cousins was visiting from the States, another cousin had a break from the obligatory army service, and yet another cousin came from Argentina. My family is the first community I ever belonged to. What's most interesting is that our ages range from the 10s to the 90s, starting from grandparents, uncles, parents, sisters, and cousins. We are all very close to each other and, we are a global family. We often say that there's always one of us "in the sky," as we live in different parts of the world and travel frequently.

This first community provided me with tools that I now find incredibly useful. It taught me to think globally, to never settle in one place, to be very curious, and to adapt to any circumstance. I also learned to understand and socialize with people of different ages. Most importantly, we created a safe space where we support each other and encourage one another to be our best. This safe environment gave me the confidence to dream big and see failures as learning opportunities.

During this day with my family, I was reminded of just how important my community is to me.

Bible verse of the week…

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 
2 Timothy 2:2

ONA Book Club…

BEHIND THE BEAUTIFUL FOREVERS: life, death, and hope in a Mumbai undercity by Katherine Boo.

“Everybody in Annawadi talks like this - oh, I will make my child a doctor, a lawyer, and he will make us rich. It’s vanity, nothing more. Your little boat goes West and you congratulate yourself, What a navigator I am! And then the wind blows you East…“

My challenge to you this week…

…is to think about your current communities and consider what other communities you might want to join. Reflect on the groups you're currently part of and assess how they align with your passions and needs. Then, identify other communities that could help you explore new interests or provide the support you need at this stage of your journey. By doing this, you can find more passions or discover what you need to grow further.

I would love to read your p.o.v. and hear how these ideas resonate with you.

Let's learn and grow together!

Stay tuned every week for insights that empower you to become an io leader.

Looking forward to our journey together!

Best,

Stephanie.