I was fortunate to meet a community of incredible businesswomen at Go for the Greens conference in Orlando/Disney recently. Rosalind Lockyer, CEO of PARO Centre for Women’s Exercise and I were talking about the interesting fact that both groups of Canadian Delegates (one from Atlantic Canada and one from Ontario) were led by women native to Newfoundland. Jennifer Bessell, CEO of NLOWE (Newfoundland and Labrador Organization of Women Entrepreneurs) and Rosalind from PARO are both born and raised in the Newfoundland ways of strong community.

To survive in Newfoundland, people learn to live in community with each other. Little did we know that only a few days later, hurricane Fiona would slam the east coast of Canada and devastate so many homes and towns. As I watch news videos about how people are managing without power (some lost everything), there is always someone talking about the community that helps those in need stay resilient.

Newfoundland Defines Community!

Gander, Newfoundland became the infamous landing spot for international flights diverted from airspace during the 9/11 attacks. Come From Away is the musical that still plays today, telling the story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the people from Newfoundland that welcomed them with incredible hospitality. Community is deep-rooted in their values, and resiliency prevails.

I wanted to dedicate this leadership tip to not only the strength and resilience it takes to be in business, having survived a pandemic and still going strong but also to the idea of the community of people that it takes to be successful. Asking for help and giving help both build relationships and provide a sense of value. We need each other.

The Government of Canada will match donations made to the Hurricane Fiona Fund up to October 23, 2022. I’ve made my donation, and I’m really hoping that many others will too, including those who were served in Gander during 9/11.

Community means taking action to help something bigger than yourself. It takes a village.