My view is that good community management is like having good municipal government: You should be able to have dissenting opinions and so on, freedom of speech, but your grandmother should also be able to walk down the street at night without having to worry about getting mugged.
Jimmy Wales
Community managers must adopt several strategies, such as promoting inclusivity, setting guidelines, and ensuring safety, to effectively manage a community. They should encourage open dialogue, establish clear boundaries of acceptable conduct, and actively moderate discussions to create a harmonious environment. Additionally, community managers should foster inclusivity and address discrimination, while empowering community members and maintaining transparency. By implementing these strategies, community managers can create a thriving online community that values diversity and meaningful engagement.
Table of Contents
- 1 My view is that good community management is like having good municipal government: You should be able to have dissenting opinions and so on, freedom of speech, but your grandmother should also be able to walk down the street at night without having to worry about getting mugged.
- 2 Jimmy Wales
- 3 Meaning of Quote – My view is that good community management is like having good municipal government: You should be able to have dissenting opinions and so on, freedom of speech, but your grandmother should also be able to walk down the street at night without having to worry about getting mugged.
- 4 Freely Shareable Quote Image
- 5 Related
Meaning of Quote – My view is that good community management is like having good municipal government: You should be able to have dissenting opinions and so on, freedom of speech, but your grandmother should also be able to walk down the street at night without having to worry about getting mugged.
Community management is a vital aspect of any successful community, just like how municipal government plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe and functional city. In both cases, the aim is to create an environment where people can express their opinions freely while ensuring the safety and well-being of its members. These ideas are eloquently expressed by Jimmy Wales, the founder of Wikipedia, who believes that community management should strike a balance between allowing dissenting opinions and protecting the community’s overall harmony.
At first glance, the connection between community management and municipal government may not be immediately apparent, but upon closer examination, the similarities become apparent. Just as a good municipal government ensures that citizens can freely express their beliefs and ideas, community management should also encourage open dialogue and allow individuals to voice their perspectives. This freedom of speech is the cornerstone of any democratic society, enabling the flourishing of diverse opinions and ideas that contribute to progress and growth.
However, as Wales suggests, freedom of speech does not mean that there are no boundaries or safeguards in place. Just as a grandmother should be able to walk down the street at night without fearing for her safety, community management must prioritize the well-being and security of its members. This involves maintaining a respectful and inclusive atmosphere that discourages harassment, bullying, or any form of harm.
In order to achieve this delicate balance, community managers must adopt several strategies. Firstly, they must establish clear guidelines and standards of behavior within the community. These guidelines should explicitly outline the boundaries of acceptable conduct and explicitly prohibit any form of discrimination, hate speech, or personal attacks. By setting such expectations from the start, potential conflicts and misunderstandings can be minimized, leading to a more harmonious community.
Moreover, community managers should actively moderate discussions and intervene when necessary. This does not mean stifling dissent or deleting comments that merely oppose the prevailing opinion. On the contrary, the goal is to promote healthy debates that challenge conventional thinking and encourage critical thinking. However, when discussions become toxic, disrespectful, or harmful, intervention is crucial. By stepping in, community managers can redirect conversations towards more constructive paths, ensuring that everyone feels safe to express their views without fear of personal attacks.
In addition to setting guidelines and moderating discussions, community managers should also foster a sense of inclusivity. This requires actively encouraging participation from all members, regardless of their background, age, or level of expertise. When everyone’s voice is valued and their contributions acknowledged, a more diverse range of perspectives emerges, leading to richer and more nuanced discussions.
Promoting inclusivity also entails addressing any potential sources of discrimination or bias within the community. Community managers should be proactive in creating an environment where all individuals feel welcomed, respected, and represented. This might involve implementing policies that prevent discrimination based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics. By prioritizing inclusivity, community managers help ensure that dissenting opinions are not silenced simply because they come from marginalized individuals.
Moreover, community managers should actively listen to their community members and acknowledge their concerns. Through open communication channels and feedback mechanisms, they can gather insights into the community’s needs, desires, and areas of improvement. By making community members feel heard and valued, the community management team can foster a sense of trust and cooperation.
A crucial aspect of effective community management is recognizing the power dynamics within a community. Just as a municipal government must be accountable to its citizens, community managers should be transparent in their decision-making process and responsive to feedback. This transparency can be achieved through regular communication, public announcements, and consultations with community members. By involving the community in decision-making, community managers build trust and ensure that the community’s voice is genuinely heard.
In the same vein, community managers should also empower community members to take leadership roles and contribute actively. By delegating responsibilities and encouraging members to take ownership of certain tasks or initiatives, the community becomes more self-sustaining. This approach not only relieves the burden on community managers but also fosters a sense of ownership and investment from the members themselves.
Ultimately, good community management, as Jimmy Wales suggests, is about maintaining a delicate balance between freedom of speech and the well-being of the community. By nurturing open dialogue, promoting inclusivity, establishing clear guidelines, and actively moderating discussions, community managers can create an environment where dissenting opinions are welcomed while ensuring that everyone feels safe and respected. Just like a well-governed municipality that enables its citizens to freely express themselves while protecting their safety, a well-managed online community can thrive by fostering diversity, collaboration, and meaningful engagement.
I hope this quote inspired image brings you hope and peace. Share it with someone who needs it today!
