Podcast Summary: Voices of Search – “The biggest mistake in community building”

Podcast: Voices of Search
Episode Title: The biggest mistake in community building
Date: November 11, 2025
Host: Jordan Koene
Guest: John Levesque, CEO of Seek

Overview

In this episode, Jordan Koene sits down with John Levesque to dissect the nuances of building impactful online communities—especially the biggest mistakes to avoid. The conversation zeroes in on the difference between constructing communities around individuals versus fostering an inclusive environment that values every member’s contributions. Levesque draws on his personal experiences, offering actionable wisdom for SEO professionals and content marketers striving to cultivate communities that are not only vibrant but sustainable.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Central Mistake in Community Building

• Building Around a Singular Personality:
  John Levesque identifies this as the most critical misstep. While communities centered on an influential figure can scale rapidly, they lack staying power and easily fizzle out if the central figure steps back. This creates fragility rather than resilience in community dynamics.

  “Community built around a singular personality…it goes farther, faster, but it doesn’t last as long. Community built around the spirit of the community lasts much longer, but it takes a lot longer to build.”
  — John Levesque (01:00)

• Durability Comes from Collective Ownership:
  Levesque has learned through experience that involving members and centering the community around shared values and collective input creates longevity and deeper engagement.

Distinguishing Between Audience Building and Community Building (02:00)

• Perspective in Storytelling:

  • Audience Building: Focuses on “what it did for me.”
  • Community Building: Focuses on “what will it do for others.”

• Who Holds the Stage?

  • If the leader dominates, it’s audience building.

  • If members are given the spotlight, it’s true community building.

    “Do you let other people have the stage more than you as the leader?… Do I have the most time on the stage or do they have the most time on the stage?”
    — John Levesque (02:30)

• The Value of Balance:
  Levesque emphasizes that a successful community needs a mix: charismatic leadership sets direction, but a supportive environment that elevates member voices is essential.

  “A good community has some balance of both—a good leader personality drives a community forward. Someone standing at the front saying, ‘let’s go this way’ is just as valuable as someone at the back saying, ‘come on everybody, let’s go that way.’”
  — John Levesque (03:10)

Practical Takeaways (Recap)

• Don’t build solely around one person; infuse community with shared purpose.
• Tell stories that benefit others, not just yourself.
• As a leader, step back and let members shine.
• Balance leadership inspiration with collaborative community-building.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On building around a single person:

  “Built a couple communities around like my personality. They grew fast, but they also fizzled out fast.”
  — John Levesque (01:30)

• On the leader’s role:

  “A little bit more of the second, you know, behind, than the first in front is the best blend.”
  — John Levesque (03:30)

Important Timestamps

• [01:00] – The danger of communities built around singular personalities.
• [02:00] – Audience vs. community building: telling a story for others vs. for oneself.
• [02:30] – The importance of letting others take the stage.
• [03:10] – Achieving the right balance between leading and supporting.
• [03:30] – Final thoughts on healthy community dynamics.

Conclusion

This episode delivers hard-won wisdom for anyone wanting to build lasting online communities. John Levesque’s reflections serve as a caution against ego-driven community strategies and highlight the importance of inclusivity and shared momentum. Leaders are most effective when they champion others and foster a sense of collective purpose—a lesson as relevant for SEO and content marketing as for any digital community.

Listen and follow for more insights:

• LinkedIn: John Levesque
• Website: seeq.ing