Giving and Taking in a Community - All Things Product Podcast with Teresa Torres & Petra Wille

Listen to this episode on: Spotify | Apple Podcasts

In this episode of All Things Product, Petra Wille and Teresa Torres dive deep into an increasingly relevant (and occasionally frustrating) topic: how people show up in communities—and whether they’re showing up to give or to take.

From in-person meetups and Slack groups to book signings and LinkedIn interactions, Petra and Teresa explore the subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences between authentic contribution and self-serving behavior. They share personal stories, real-world examples, and some tough love about what it really means to engage meaningfully.

If you've ever wondered how to grow your network, become a sought-after speaker, or simply be a better community member—this one’s for you.

Topics Covered

The Trend That Sparked This Episode: Petra flags a shift she’s noticing: more folks joining communities asking, “What can I get?” instead of, “How can I help?”
Why Communities Matter: The unexpected long-term benefits of engaging in a community—and how the payoff often comes years down the road.
The Origin Story of Petra & Teresa’s Connection: A short, enthusiastic conference interaction leads to years of collaboration and friendship.
What Giving Actually Looks Like: The difference between offering value and unsolicited advice. (Spoiler: one builds trust, the other breaks it.)
Behind the Scenes of Conferences & Course Communities: How Petra and Teresa handle entitlement, scholarship requests, and volunteering—and why the approach matters.
Online Community Behavior: From Slack spamming to thoughtful sharing: how to show up well in digital spaces.
Choosing Where to Engage: Why less is more when it comes to online communities—and how to pick the right ones for deeper involvement.
Mentorship, Giving at Any Level, and the Power of Small Gestures: Even a thank-you note or recipe can go a long way. Giving isn’t transactional—it's relational.

Key Takeaways

Give before you ask. Community thrives when people contribute without - expecting immediate returns.
Quality > quantity. You don’t need to be everywhere—just pick a few communities and show up consistently.
A little effort goes a long way. Whether it's sharing your learnings or offering to help, even small contributions can lead to big connections.
Be mindful of timing and tone. Offering value is great—unless it’s delivered like a sales pitch or advice no one asked for.
Communities remember generosity. Years later, people still remember who offered help, not who just wanted the mic.

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