#133 Emotional Safety Is The Prerequisite To Belonging
Future Of Community Summit – My Take On Circle's Trends Report
For a deeper dive, listen to this week's episode where I break down 3 additional trends that stuck out to me in Circle's report – why member transformation is becoming the number one growth strategy, how retention-first communities are winning, and what flexible participation models mean for your programming.
I attended the Future Of Communities Summit this week where Circle released their 2026 community trends. And one theme rose above the rest in a way that felt both validating and overdue.
Deep member connection starts with emotional safety.
"73% of community builders are now designing their communities with emotional safety as a core pillar."
And when you pair that with Trend 1, “Belonging is the new competitive advantage,” the message becomes impossible to ignore... belonging is what makes communities thrive, but belonging only exists when people feel safe.
I actually wrote about this topic in issue #5 🤯 of this newsletter. That early essay was all about the importance of creating spaces where people genuinely feel “I’m safe here.” Today we’re refreshing that thinking through the lens of 2026.
Because in a world overwhelmed by noise, instability, and overstimulation, safety isn’t just a community value. It’s a business strategy.
Let’s get into it –
People are stretched thin, they’re tired of doomscrolling, and they want places that feel calm and human.
Small, intentional communities are becoming digital refuges. The places where members can drop their shoulders, share honestly, and talk about the things they’d never risk on an algorithmic feed.
And what creates that environment isn’t sheer volume of content or perfectly organized spaces. It’s safety.
Safety is the thing that turns a community from “just another platform” into a place someone can belong.
When your members feel safe, they engage. When they engage, they connect. When they connect, they transform. And these are the members that will stick around.
Safety Isn’t Created With Guidelines... It’s Modeled.
Safety cannot be taught through community guidelines alone. It must be modeled through your behavior, and your members behavior.
Your behavior will set the tone. Your ambassadors (or most active members) will reinforce it, and your members mirror it.
This is why a member’s first day matters so much. Their earliest interactions tell them everything they need to know about whether this is a place where they can ask questions, participate, and show up as themselves.
People leave communities for lots of reasons... but they will definitely leave if the environment doesn’t feel safe enough to be vulnerable.
Designing For Safety In 2026
(1) Set Cultural Expectations Early
Your onboarding should tell members exactly what kind of space they’re entering.
Circle’s data highlights the strongest contributors to emotional safety:
Clear guidelines and code of conduct
Active moderation
Thoughtful onboarding
Private spaces for sensitive topics
Pre-vetted membership criteria
(2) Model the Behavior You Want to Multiply
Safety is contagious, but someone has to go first.
That means:
Warm, human welcomes (1:1 calls or personal videos go far!)
Direct encouragement for new voices
Transparent norms and participation cues
Ambassadors who reinforce the culture through action, not announcements
When members see how people treat each other here, they treat each other the same way.
(3) Build Structures That Enable Belonging
Belonging isn’t theoretical, it’s created through design.
Think:
Small-group spaces where vulnerability is easier
Opt-in threads for deeper conversation
Cohorts or breakout pods
Private or sensitive-topic channels
Personalized learning or content libraries to reduce overwhelm
You want to create less pressure, and make room for more humanity.
(4) Create A Culture That Celebrates Member Identity
Identity is a powerful form of belonging, and in creating that it's important for members to feel seen.
Highlight member wins. Spotlight people who are embodying the community’s values. Use identity signals thoughtfully, whether that’s badges, recognition graphics, or spotlight features.
Josh Hall's community Web Designers Pro does a really good job of this. They use:
Swag as bonuses (which people wear all over when traveling)
Shareable wins and public celebration (make graphics)
Journey badges
Website badge
Certification
Your Action Steps
Here are a few simple places to start:
Revisit your onboarding sequence and pinpoint any moment that might make a new member hesitate.
Record a culture-setting video that models warmth, clarity, and expectations.
Create one intentionally safe space for deeper or more vulnerable conversation.
Audit your guidelines to ensure they align with your values, not just your rules.
Small improvements compound, and safety is built one interaction at a time.
It is an overwhelming time to be human. Careers are shifting, technology is accelerating, and the world feels heavy.
And yet here you are, building spaces where people can breathe, connect, and find their footing again. Spaces where they can show up as themselves and feel a sense of belonging that is increasingly rare online.
That responsibility is real, and I hope you realize what an honor it is.
If you want support shifting your community culture, or tightening your member journey, book a discovery call.