Creating a Culture of Belonging

You may have seen the letter “B” added to the three-letter acronym DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion), which has become ubiquitous in the world of business, government, and academia. The B stands for Belonging. According to Forbes senior contributor William Arruda, “Belonging is critical for inspiring a productive, engaged culture within any team.”
The hybrid/remote work environment has diluted human interaction, along with people’s sense of belonging. More than half of American employees reported feelings of isolation in the past year, and, according to McKinsey, 51% of people who left their jobs in 2022 did so in search of belonging and connection.
Great Place to Work revealed that when employees experience belonging, “they’re three times more likely to say their workplace is fun and five times more likely to want to stay at their company for a long time.” So, how can organizations foster a sense of belonging?

• Make “belonging” a mantra:  Create opportunities for employees to interact.
• Foster Empathy: Seeing the world through others’ eyes enhances connection.
• Embrace differences:  Recognize the distinct value that different perspectives bring.
• Establish a shared purpose and vision:  Common goals unite people.
• Invest in talent development:  Sponsor team training and coaching programs. 
• Be collaborative:  Be more expansive about whom to include in communication, meetings, and in the decision-making process.
• Express gratitude:  Appreciation is appreciated, so find ways to embed this practice.
• Reward those who foster belonging: Leaders can increase everyone’s sense of belonging when they call out others for building an environment that amps up belonging. 

What has your organization done lately to foster belonging? To join the conversation, click "comments" above.
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