When people feel they belong, they're happier and give more. Leaders need to create a sense of belonging. Here's how.
Key Takeaways: establishing a culture of belonging
- People need to feel they belong. Otherwise, they will burn out or leave. And won't speak highly of the organization.
- Look at your policies. You may have gender equality policies, for example, but do they account for intersectional identities? Policies should include everyone.
- Have conversations. One thing managers and leaders can do is to simply talk – and listen.
About Grace Mosuro
Grace Mosuro is an inclusion coach, trainer and strategist. She’s the CEO of Aquaintz Consulting, with a mission to craft thriving, inclusive workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to shine.
Let's Act: start improving belonging today
In the video, Grace shares the idea of an "About Me" document. In these, people can share their preferences and explain their background. This will help to head off any (mis)communication issues and give the team a better understanding of each other.
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So, make this commitment today:
- Create an "About Me" document for yourself.
Open a Word doc or your Notes app. Write down your name, interests, working preferences, communication style, goals, and – if you're comfortable – any inclusion- and diversity-related information, such as neurodiversity and cultural background.
Explore these Mindtools resources on belonging and inclusion for more:
- Quiz: How Well Do You Model Inclusion in Your Team?
- Video: Building Psychological Safety With Your Team
- Podcast: Pain Points Podcast: Belonging
- Case Study: Diversity at IBM - It's Part of the Program
Note:
Grace has written a more in-depth article on this subject: Building a Culture of Belonging.
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