Built to Belong: Discovering the Power of Community Over Competition

Description

Many of us feel more alone than ever despite living in the most connected society in human history. Join author Natalie Franke on a thoughtful journey to true belonging. We need to belong in the same way that we need oxygen--our physical bodies require it. Biologically, psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually, we perform better and have greater successes as individuals when we are connected to the collective. Societal institutions that once served as the intersections of human connection are rapidly eroding. Younger generations, yearning for connection, turn to online platforms to fill the voids once filled by physical interaction, and to fill the void that loneliness leaves in our hearts, we confuse consumption with connection. With time, comparison becomes an ugly monster that grows bigger with the career accomplishments, alluring beach vacations, and perfect family photos, and slowly, we become addicted to the very thing that is killing us. There is another way--a path to true belonging. Natalie Franke lights the way to a greater understanding of what it means to truly experience and create belonging in our lives and communities. Based on Natalie's own experience as an entrepreneur and community creator, Built to Belong shows us how to change our perceptions and make the choices that allow our lives to reach fullness through their expression in community.

Natalie Franke is one of the founders of the Rising Tide Society--a community of 77,000 creative entrepreneurs who gather in over 400 cities around the world in the spirit of community over competition. She took a hashtag (#communityovercompetition) and turned it into a movement and vibrant community that now spans the globe. Natalie currently lives in Annapolis, Maryland with her husband and son, and serves as the Head of Community for HoneyBook and Rising Tide--leading a team of world changers in the pursuit of empowering the creative economy to rise together doing what they love.

"An engaging and inspiring read that makes plain the power that genuine human connection can have on our lives and businesses; a fact I've personally witnessed in Natalie's work as Head of Community at HoneyBook Rising Tide. The book is an important reminder that we can go further and reach our goals faster when we go together."--Oz Alon, CEO of HoneyBook "This message is one the world desperately needs right now. With a heart-on-sleeve style of storytelling, Natalie doesn't hold back--her words are raw, rich, and necessary for anyone who feels like they're wrestling with belonging. Natalie takes you by the hand to guide you with her wisdom and vulnerability. If you're longing for a shift in the way you see and find community, this book is a beautiful first step."--Hannah Brencher, author of Fighting Forward "A counter-cultural must-read! Business is all about relationships and yet, we are often in crazy, cutthroat competition with one another. Natalie reminds us that it doesn't have to be that way! We can be successful women with drive and ambition and still make people our priority." --Lindsay Teague Moreno, bestselling author of Boss Up! "Riveting. Relevant. Radical. In a world where people are challenged by the vicissitudes of life and the virus of loneliness, along comes a message in the bottle that simply says we belong. Every organization that believes people are more important than profit should consider this book required reading. I am going to recommend it to every leader, individual, organization that I know. A timeless classic that has arrived in the nick of time."--Dr. Simon T. Bailey, Executive Coach, Author, and Thought Leader "If you want to make a greater impact and find more meaning in life, don't do it alone. Tap into the power of the collective. Natalie's calls to action in Built to Belong are the perfect blueprint to widen and deepen your relationships so you can grow your community, business and heart."--Antonio Neves, author of Stop Living on Autopilot "Natalie Franke is a champion of people--people over perfection, people over performance, people over competition. Built to Belong is both practical and inspirational--an important read for creatives and business leaders about why we should link arms, and the amazing gift of community over competition."--Jess Ekstrom, author of Chasing the Bright Side "Natalie challenges us to change our perspectives on business and relationships. If you have a narrative in your head that the other person is your competition and not your friend, that soundtrack is going to encourage you to miss so many new opportunities. Natalie confronts the scarcity and competition mentality head on in a way that proves there's plenty to go around." --Jon Acuff, New York Times bestselling author of Soundtracks "A call to arms--heart is always more valuable than hustle, and community is always more important than competition. Natalie inspires us to lean into vulnerability and paints a vision for how you can link arms in business and friendship."--Emily Ley, bestselling author of Growing Boldly