Why Community Comes First

One of the most important things we’ve learned since launching our first idea workshop is this: when it comes to early-stage ideation — especially for people transitioning out of government — community isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.

There’s no shortage of resources out there for people interested in social impact, entrepreneurship, or systems change. Articles, incubators, courses, funding databases...the list goes on. But when you’re at the very beginning of something, when you’re holding a barely-formed idea or just starting to imagine a new direction for yourself, resources alone aren’t enough. What most people need first is a sense of grounding, connection, and belonging.

That’s what our first Public Value Lab workshop provided. Not just tools or frameworks, but a safe, peer-supported space to say: “I don’t have it all figured out yet.” And then to hear that echoed with honesty and optimism from 23 others in the room.

We heard over and over again how comforting it was to see the diversity of paths others were exploring: some were developing new tools supporting conservation, others exploring consulting practices, new digital tools, or new approaches to disaster response. Seeing the breadth of possible directions didn’t just inspire people, it gave them permission to imagine a path of their own.

Another lesson that emerged clearly: early-stage ideation is a vulnerable process, particularly for those of us trained in high-accountability, risk-averse institutions like federal agencies. Many participants expressed that they wouldn’t have explored certain ideas without the kind of supportive setting that the Lab created. There’s something uniquely liberating about being surrounded by people who understand your professional DNA, your commitment to public value, and the constraints you're trying to move beyond.

Finally, we learned that feeling part of something bigger is powerful fuel. This isn’t just about launching one new venture or helping one person pivot, it’s about contributing to a growing, distributed movement of people building new ways to serve the public good from outside of government.

That’s why community is at the heart of the Public Value Lab. It’s not a side benefit. It’s the structure, the method, and the safety net. It’s how we surface possibilities that might otherwise stay buried, and how we build the momentum to keep going when things get hard — because they will.

We’re still learning. But the biggest takeaway so far? You don’t need to go it alone. And if we keep building this community with intention, neither will anyone else.