Book Review: Community Made
By: Jayson Gaignard
Review by: Glain Roberts-McCabe
The Premise: In Community Made, entrepreneur and master relationship-builder, Jayson Gaignard, breaks down how he went from being a burned out business owner to a master of community building. Community Made is one part biography and one part playbook, as Gaignard puts to rest that most business owners are ‘self-made’. Instead, he lays out how he went from a relationship deficit to someone who is arguably one of the most connected people in North America.
The book lays out how to find the right types of relationships; how to nurture them along the way; and then – the key idea – how to ask for help when you need it. Filled with personal examples, simple strategies and timeless techniques, Community Made is a quick read that goes beyond the concept of networking as a transaction. Instead, readers are guided on how to build relationships that create reciprocal, lasting success.
The Bottomline: Although Jayson is directing this book towards entrepreneurs, there are so many lessons and ideas in here that are worth exploring for anyone who breaks out in hives at the word ‘networking’. What I appreciated about Community Made is the central focus on building genuine relationships with intention. For many leaders that I work with, I notice that it’s very easy to keep one’s head down, focussed on the work and ignore building connections beyond an immediate need.
Investing in building and maintaining relationships can feel overwhelming and, when there are other fires burning, often something that can take short shrift. And then one day, you wake up and find yourself on the other side of employment and at the ground floor of building your network. From my experience, investing time and attention to cultivate relationships with intention is a form of proactive career management. Gaignard outlines simple strategies that any leader can adapt and apply to create relationships with depth. Give it a read. It might be the best thing you can do for your career.
Recommendation
Recommended for leaders who want a counter view to ‘networking’.
BONUS
If you would like a free copy of Community Made, we have 50 to give away. Email info@goroundtable.com with the word Community Made Book in your subject line and include the mailing address for us to send you the book.
