Culture forms whether you guide it or not. The question is: do you want it to reflect your purpose?
In the previous practice we talked about why people are showing up and now we will look at how people behave.
Community culture will happen whether you’re intentional or not. When designing community the question is: are you shaping it or letting it drift?
Culture is what people do without being told, not what you say. And the best cultures? They feel organic AND aligned with purpose. The organic parts are the good stuff, they give your community texture and make it feel real. But they need a foundation to grow on. You want people to sing with you, and you need to choose what key to sing in.
Here’s what I’ve found works:
Set Clear Social Norms
People thrive when they know how to participate and what’s encouraged. For example at Venture Café, we keep it simple: Make yourself at home. Be inclusive. Be Interested. Connect responsibly. No hard sales. Have fun.These norms are visible and repeated. Yes, sometimes literally written on the walls. (see photo)
Use Rituals to Reinforce Culture
There are endless ways to build rituals into your community. At Venture Café, one simple example is our check-in badge, each time you attend, your visit number goes up. It’s a small moment, but it creates a sense of progress, recognition, and fun.
Rituals like this, whether at the start, middle, or end of an experience, build rhythm, identity, and belonging. They make the invisible parts of culture felt and let people get into the groove.
When you build your community set the tone. Build the rhythm. Then step back and let the culture take shape.
