Book excerpt: In an era dominated by the demands of the 21st-century workforce, the imperative for distributed and asynchronous work has never been more pronounced. Global organizations grapple with the challenge of fostering connections for diverse purposes, ranging from team building to promoting inclusivity in the context of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and addressing collaborative operational needs. A deep dive into the creation and utilization of virtual communities, illuminating their effectiveness in various professional settings across industries is necessary to empower leaders to connect with their teams. From informal social learning environments to formal organizational structures, more knowledge is needed to showcase how professionals can leverage authentic connections to inform and support modern professional practice. Utilizing Virtual Communities in Professional Practice serves this purpose and stands as a comprehensive guide that seeks to support professionals in exploring the latest theoretical frameworks underpinning successful virtual communities. Each chapter of the book combines theoretical insights with practical applications, rooted in research and supported by relevant literature. By providing examples from diverse industries, the book empowers individuals to consider new virtual community approaches for their unique professional settings. The objective is to equip readers with new ideas and considerations, enabling them to customize and implement virtual communities effectively in realms such as education, business, and community engagement.