Dr. Bilal Ahmad Bhat’s Post

🌟 Designing Thriving Communities: Lessons From the Field Over the years, I’ve studied communities worldwide, and the ones that truly thrive share a common thread: they prioritize purpose over profit, clarity over chaos, and connection over control. If you’re building a land project or community, here’s a quick roadmap: 1️⃣ Start With the Land: Listen to the land and immerse yourself in the local community. Their stories and aspirations, combined with the land’s unique features, create a vision that’s grounded and authentic. 2️⃣ Prioritize Shared Spaces: Shared areas are the heart of connection. Communities that prioritize them foster pride and belonging. 3️⃣ Build Invisible Structures: Governance and communication hold communities together. Invest in tools like nonviolent communication and inclusive leadership to create harmony. 4️⃣ Scale With Intention: Rushing leads to struggles. Thoughtful, aligned growth sets the stage for lasting success. The Big Lesson: Shared purpose and alignment are the foundation for thriving communities. 👉 Want the full roadmap? Read the weekly lightbulb via my Substack below... Much love! Ed

Are you truly making an Impact? When we talk about community impact, we highlight how it benefits everyone, regardless of socioeconomic status. For me,the key points are simple… 1. Improving quality of life 2. Increasing access to resources 3. Driving economic growth And fostering social cohesion and resilience. It’s crucial to take an inclusive approach when addressing challenges that impact the entire community. Collaboration is essential. #CommunityImpact #InclusiveGrowth #Sustainability #Collaboration

🌍✨ Building Bridges: The Pillars of Progressive Societies🌍✨ In today's interconnected world, the significance of leadership, community development, and structured societal organisation is paramount. These elements are the backbone of a prosperous society, where challenges are met with unity and innovation. The Keystone of Leadership True leadership transcends authority—it inspires, motivates, and mobilises people towards common goals. Leaders are the visionaries and the catalysts for change, creating an environment where ideas and efforts converge to produce tangible results. Cultivating Community Development Community development is about improving collective quality of life. By engaging community members in decision-making, leaders cultivate a sense of ownership and commitment, leading to sustainable and resilient growth. This includes initiatives like local skill training, health programs, and environmental sustainability efforts. Structuring Societal Organization A well-organised society reflects its values through efficient institutions and effective governance, facilitating equitable opportunities and better crisis management. This structured approach enhances societal stability and fosters equitable growth. Conclusion The interplay between effective leadership, active community development, and strong societal organisation forms the bedrock of successful societies. As we navigate future challenges, reinforcing these pillars will ensure a robust, adaptable community, poised for sustained prosperity. In this journey, everyone has a crucial role to play, contributing to a collective vision of unity and progress.

Our connection as human beings is not founded on the spaces we operate in, but rather the sense of community we cultivate. The art of building a community goes beyond networking events or social media friendships. It's about creating environments conducive to growth, conversations, and the strength of collective action. Here are some thoughts to consider: 1. Embrace diversity: In a world as colourful as ours, we need to acknowledge that diversity is our strength. Coming from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences are what distinguishes us and makes us unique. But, also, it unites us. Let's create communities that not only accept diversity but evolve because of it. 2. Encourage conversations: In silence, we miss opportunities for growth. So, foster environments where everyone can voice their thoughts freely. Let's keep the dialogue alive - about dreams, challenges, success, failure, and everything else in between. It is through communication that we break barriers, build connections, and strengthen the threads that build our collective fabric. 3. Practice active listening: What’s more inspiring than a community that respectfully listens before engaging in mindful responses? It is here that ideas flourish, relationships are cemented, and empathy is nurtured. It's not merely a business strategy, rather a sustained habit that strengthens community bonds. 4. Provide valuable resources: Community building is about adding value - to individuals and the collective. Providing resources, sharing knowledge, or even lending a supportive hand goes a long way in helping each member, and hence the community, to grow and prosper. 5. Foster a sense of belonging: Everyone wants to belong. A sense of belonging is crucial within the community. Developing this inclusivity can be brought about by shared experiences, group activities, or just celebrating our shared humanity. The power of us and we is far greater than I and me . Building a community is as dynamic as it is powerful. It's a catalyst for change, vehicle for innovation, a haven for shared values, and a canvas on which we can paint our collective vision. As we realise the importance of community, may we learn to create and contribute to spaces that promote collective growth and individual prosperity. Finally, communities are not created overnight. It is an ongoing process of nurturing relationships, fostering trust, valorising respect, and celebrating communal triumphs - large and small. So let's get into action, build those authentic connections, and spiral upwards together. Because, really, community is the cornerstone of our shared narrative ... for now, and for generations to come.

Community creates belonging.  And belonging can motivate members to elevate their performance and dedication to what they most care about. Isolation creates hopelessness.  We cannot impact the complexities that face us alone. Dede Henley via Thrive Global #belonging #CoCreation #community #leadershipdevelopment #teamdevelopment

In a recent project, 81% of community members said they didn't attend in-person events for a new local planning application. But why? 🚫 Many people were unaware of the events, highlighting the need for better publicity ⏰ Time constraints, particularly due to work, were also a major barrier emphasising the need for flexibility and a variety of engagement methods. 😐 Some felt that their participation wouldn't make a difference, which indicates to us the need for transparency and consistency in communication. Community engagement is important in order to build projects that reflect the needs and wants of local community members. By addressing these barriers, it ensures that everyone has a voice in the planning process. #Tech #PropTech #TechForGood #Community #Consultation #Technology #CommunityEngagement #Future #RealEstate #Environment #Sustainable #SocialImpact #BCorp

We know that in-person events have a valuable place in the consultation mix, especially for some groups within the community, but looking at these results there is a clear need for something beyond that.. Digital engagement is a solution for the challenges detailed here: 👁 Driving awareness across the broader community with digital marketing ⌚Capturing the attention of the community where they are, at a time that suits them 🤝Building rapport through understanding the representative community perspective and being able to make decisions in consideration of their needs/preferences Digital engagement taps into the masses, who usually wouldn't have the time, means (or energy!) to engage in other methods.

In a recent project, 81% of community members said they didn't attend in-person events for a new local planning application. But why? 🚫 Many people were unaware of the events, highlighting the need for better publicity ⏰ Time constraints, particularly due to work, were also a major barrier emphasising the need for flexibility and a variety of engagement methods. 😐 Some felt that their participation wouldn't make a difference, which indicates to us the need for transparency and consistency in communication. Community engagement is important in order to build projects that reflect the needs and wants of local community members. By addressing these barriers, it ensures that everyone has a voice in the planning process. #Tech #PropTech #TechForGood #Community #Consultation #Technology #CommunityEngagement #Future #RealEstate #Environment #Sustainable #SocialImpact #BCorp

Studies reveal a striking truth: lasting community change comes through direct engagement, not elaborate strategies. While most of the initiatives focus on planning, successful transformations consistently trace back to ground-level presence and immediate action. The reality is clear: when we meet people where they are, we build foundations that strategy documents never could. Your presence matters more than perfect planning. Act now. #humanity #ngo

The Power of Community in Driving Sustainable Social Innovation 🌍🤝 Community involvement is key to lasting change. Here’s why: 💡 Locally Driven Solutions: Engaging community members ensures solutions address real issues. 🤝 Building Trust & Buy-In: Community involvement fosters ownership, making it easier to sustain initiatives. 🔗 Collaboration Over Top-Down Approaches: Working alongside leaders ensures solutions are inclusive and tailored. 🌱 Creating Resilience: Engaged communities become more resilient, sustaining change beyond any single initiative. How has community involvement shaped your projects?