3 Intelligent Reasons for A Community Member Spotlight
How to tease out what people have to offer
In my last essay, I announced the launch of The School of Knowledge Community, where I outlined my vision for a decentralised knowledge hub for business owners and professionals who are in transition and ready to take the next step in their careers. When I think about the communities that have truly changed my life, they were never about the founder. The best communities I've been part of functioned like well-oiled machines where the founder was the engineer, not the engine.
This is precisely the model I envision for The School of Knowledge. Below are 3 reasons why I believe a decentralised community is the right one for us.
1. The spotlight belongs to you
Traditional communities often follow a hub-and-spoke model, with the founder on the centre stage and all value and interaction flowing through them. This model is efficient for the short term but unsustainable and limiting for everyone involved. Nobody wants to watch a standup comedian indefinitely. They want to hear them out, take the best bits, and go tell their friends the jokes so they think they’ve suddenly become a very funny person.
The latter half of the above paragraph is where the fun happens, and that’s why I'm building something different: a community where the spotlight isn't dialled in on just me, but on you—your expertise, your challenges, your growth, and your contributions. Jokes are welcome too!
Think about the most valuable professional relationships you've formed. They likely weren't with people who talked at you, but with those who created space for mutual exchange and growth. That's what I'm creating here.
Growth is symbiotic.
2. Why decentralisation matters
In a centralised model, decisions are made at the top of the tree and filtered down as orders, but in a decentralised community, knowledge and value flow in multiple directions. When a member shares a breakthrough, asks an insightful question, or offers unique expertise, they become a temporary centre of gravity. The spotlight shifts organically based on who has something valuable to contribute at any given moment.
This is why in my community, I’ve created a Member Spotlight space 🎙️
What this means is:
You're not dependent on a single source of wisdom
The community becomes more resilient, adaptable and sustainable as it grows
A wider range of perspectives emerges
Everyone has the opportunity to both teach and learn
The real magic happens when members realise they have as much to offer as they have to gain.
3. Finding your voice
One of the most powerful aspects of a properly structured community is how it helps members discover capabilities they didn't know they had. When you're encouraged to share your unique perspective in a space that values quality thinking, you often surprise yourself with what emerges.
I've seen this countless times: the quietest person in the room often has the most profound insight when given the right environment to share it.
This is particularly crucial for professionals in transition. The path forward becomes clearer not just through the advice you receive but through the clarity that comes from articulating your thoughts and seeing how they resonate with others.
People often don’t realise how capable they are.
The spotlight is waiting. Are you ready to step into it?
If you've already joined the waitlist, thank you. If not, and this resonates with you, I invite you to join us below.
What's next?
As we build The School of Knowledge Community together, I want to understand how a decentralised community model would best serve you. Today we’ll vote on engagement & formatting:
Until next time, Karl (The School of Knowledge).
If you feel somebody you know may be interested in joining this community, please help them by sharing this post.
Whenever you’re ready
The School of Knowledge helps you understand the world through practitioners. Those who try, fail and do (skin in the game). 📚💡
Join our growing community of like-minded lifelong learners here:
