Let’s start with the question: What does community mean to you?
At the fundamental level, a community is a group of people with something in common, whether shared interests, attitudes, or goals. Some examples of communities include a local church, school PTA, or a running club.
However, community is also a deeper concept studied by academics. McMillan & Chavis coined the most widely used psychological model of community, describing it as:
“A feeling that members have of belonging, a feeling that members matter to one another and to the group, and a shared faith that members’ needs will be met through their commitment to be together.”
They see community as more than sharing common interests or goals. A community includes an emotional connection to the group, providing a sense of belonging and fulfilling a need.
Let’s examine why community matters at work and the importance of HR communities for professional development.
The importance of community in the workplace
Work can be an intimidating place, especially if you come from a minority group or have special needs. To address this, many companies have set up Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), which are internal communities of people with shared identities and interests who join together to advocate for themselves, increase awareness, and try to create change within the wider organization. As of 2022, 90 percent of Fortune 500 companies had established ERGs to support DE&I initiatives, reinforcing the need for this type of community in the workplace. Some examples of ERGs include groups for women only, people with disabilities, LGBTQIA+, and young professionals.
However, while HR is often the driving force behind setting up and supporting ERGs for their people at work, they often lack their own communities and place for knowledge-sharing and support.
HR handles sensitive and confidential issues that cannot be shared with friends and co-workers. Moreover, HR leaders in small companies often work as a one-person team, leaving them feeling isolated and prone to emotional fatigue. Being part of a community for HR professionals provides an outlet to engage, gain support, and avoid burnout.
HR also needs community
Communities aren’t just a place for HR professionals to vent. HR communities also provide an outlet for networking and building relationships with peers, finding mentors and potential employers, and resources for educational and professional development.
Here are some examples of leading HR communities with different areas of focus:
- SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) SHRM supports the advancement of the HR profession by offering its members access to education, certification programs, and professional networking opportunities. It also advocates on labor and employment issues at the federal level.
- CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) The CIPD champions better work and working lives by supporting HR and people professionals with education, resources, and development.
- HRCI (HR Certification Institute) Focused on certification and professional development, HRCI provides globally recognized certifications for HR professionals (like PHR and SPHR) and serves as a hub for continuous learning and professional credibility.
- WorldatWork A global association for HR professionals specializing in compensation, benefits, and work-life balance. Known for its certifications (e.g., CCP, CBP), WorldatWork also offers events, research, and community networking.
HiBob’s Heartcore HR community
At HiBob, we are dedicated to empowering HR professionals with the tools and insights to shape the people experiences and culture strategies that drive high-performing businesses. While our main product is Bob—an end-to-end HCM for managing people and HR processes—we also believe in empowering HR professionals to create people-centric work experiences that enable employees and teams to thrive.
As such, we believe in the power of community and are proud of Heartcore HR, our thriving HR community. Heartcore HR brings together modern HR professionals who want to learn, share best practices, and stay ahead of industry trends.
At a glance, as of May 2025, Heartcore HR has:
- 14,000+ members
- 4,500+ discussions
- 60+ discussion boards
- 20+ regional groups
But that’s just the beginning. Let’s explore everything the Heartcore HR community has to offer.
1. Heartcore HR community board
Heartcore HR is a community of HR professionals and a space for learning, engaging, and collaborating.
We have numerous discussion boards to keep you updated on what’s happening in the community and beyond, including community news, HiBob latest, HR conversations, an active job board, and product updates. Other popular resources include:
- FAQs and hacks: Discover quick workarounds and how to get the most out of Bob
- Upcoming live events and webinars: Read more about our events around the world and sign up!
- Regional and subject-focused groups: including groups for compliance, partners, and more.
Heartcore HR is a community made up of HiBob’s customers and experts from the HiBob team “our Bobbers,” who are ready to step in and answer your technical questions and offer their expertise. Of course, we also have an active Help Center with how-to articles and videos on every module and feature in Bob, open for our customers to self-serve and learn more.
2. Heartcore HR events
Heartcore HR is more than a community board. We believe in the power of in-person events, enabling our community members to come together, network, and collaborate. Heartcore HR’s events run throughout the year in locations from Stockholm to Sydney and include:
- Heartcore HR LIVE: A dinner with a keynote speaker and a panel of HR professionals,
held in different locations around the world.
- Heartcore HR Happy Hours: A get-together with drinks and nibbles at HR conferences worldwide. Held at the HiBob booth or in a nearby location.
- Heartcore Gourmet Gatherings: Intimate gourmet meals in exclusive locations.
We also run several online events, including our ‘Learning with Heartcore HR’ webinar series that encourages continuous learning and explores different thought leadership and product-related topics.
All community members are encouraged to take an active role in our online and virtual events, not just as participants, but as keynote speakers and panelists. To drive this initiative, we’ve inaugurated a Heartcore HR Speakers’ Club, providing opportunities and training for aspiring speakers.
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3. The Training Village
The HiBob Training Village is a self-serve learning hub designed to help HR professionals level up in Bob and lead with confidence in their field. Along with our product-focused courses, we also run a Leading with Influence (LWI) program. This nine-month cohort-based course focuses on strategic HR influence and blends live sessions, coaching, and community engagement.
Many LWI alums continue contributing to Heartcore HR, sharing their stories at Heartcore HR LIVE events and joining panels.
We believe in the power of community
Community is more than just connection—it’s where learning happens, confidence builds, and leadership takes shape. For HR professionals, who often support everyone else in the organization, having a space to be supported themselves is vital. A strong HR community offers shared knowledge, support, and a sense of belonging that makes it easier to lead through change.
That’s exactly why we created Heartcore HR—a global community where HR leaders come together to learn, grow, and shape the future of work. Whether you’re navigating new challenges, looking for best practices, or simply want to connect with other like-minded HR professionals, Heartcore HR is here for you.
Join Heartcore HR today and be part of something meaningful.
