The Importance of Belonging in the Workplace

Belonging, or the feeling of being accepted for who you are, recognized for your unique contributions, and connected to those around you, is an innate human need and a foundational element of positive company culture. When people feel a strong sense of belonging, they are more likely to take risks, ideate, and collaborate with those around them, improving their own experiences and contributing to their productivity. On the other hand, when a person feels left out, they are more likely to be disengaged from both their teams and their work.

Fostering a sense of belonging in the workplace can help teams positively transform their cultures. Read on to learn more about the importance of nurturing belonging for yourself and your teammates.

Belonging begets collaboration

People are more likely to commit to a shared goal if they feel like they belong. A sense of belonging at work can inspire team members, increase understanding, and help build trust. People are less likely to engage in teamwork when they feel excluded, even if it means their performance suffers as a result. 

Belonging combats isolation

The feeling that someone is on your side is always comforting. It’s less likely that your colleagues will feel excluded from projects when they feel they have allies who embrace their unique skills and attributes. A sense of belonging in a team can be fostered by a single teammate who showcases a transparent, accepting, and inclusive leadership style (that could be you!).

Belonging betters effectiveness

Fostering a sense of belonging can create a cohesive work environment that people are excited to return to every day. In fact, people who feel they belong to an organization are 8.7x more likely to intend to stay for the next year, and 5.5x more likely to stay for the rest of their careers. Belonging reduces the possibility of turnover, ensuring that the morale and effectiveness of great teams stays high.

Interested in learning more about workplace belonging but not sure where to start? Keep an eye on your My Belonging pages for relevant nudges and resources to help you.