- Image by Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com via Flickr
What makes a good community manager? To answer this question let’s look at that American classic by Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer. It’s been a few years since I read the book and I am no Mark Twain, but this is my paraphrase of the story …
One hot summer day, Tom Sawyer gets saddled with painting a fence. It stretches around the entire perimeter of a large American property and it is the last thing he wants to do with his Sunday afternoon. He picks up a brush and grudgingly starts to streak white paint up and down each fence slat.
From the corner of his eye Tom spots his friend Joe coming down the sidewalk. Tom starts to whistle, swishing the brush with great gusto, and letting a real smile emerge on his face. When Joe asks him what he’s doing, Tom replies, “I’m just having a great time painting this fence,” and he goes back to his work with a spring in his strokes.
“I’d like to paint the fence too,” Joe says.
“No,” Tom says, “I couldn’t let you do that Joe. I’m having too much fun. Besides, this is a really important job that needs to get done by 5pm today.”
“Pleeeeease,” Joe asks. ”I can get it done. I promise!”
“I don’t know,” Tom says, while out of the corner of his eye he sees Huck, Bobby, and Little Jack coming down the sidewalk taking interest in what’s going on.
“What’s going on here?” Huck asks.
“Tom won’t let me paint the fence,” Joe says almost in tears.
“Come on Tom,” Bobby says, “let Joe paint the fence.” Tom considers it for a minute, looks at Joe’s pleading eyes, and then hands him an extra brush. ”Fine,” Tom says, “but make sure you stay within the lines. And don’t drip paint on the sidewalk.”
“I promise I won’t,” Joe says picking up the brush with enthusiasm. Huck, Bobby, and Little Jack now feel left out. They see Tom and Joe having lots of fun and decide they want to paint the fence too. Tom gladly hands them some extra brushes and watches his friends go to work. He then sits back in the shade, opens a comic book, and proceeds to fall asleep.
A good community manager gets others to pain the fence. By showing enthusiasm, passion, and commitment in the community she inspires others to take an interest. She empowers community members to “do it themselves” and invest in the community; this creates engagement and benefits the community. Get others to paint the fence.
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