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 employee engagement. When employees feel a sense of belonging, they are more likely to take risks, ideate, and collaborate with those around them, improving their own experiences and contributing to organizational effectiveness. 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 organizations positively transform their cultures. Read on to learn more about the importance of nurturing belonging at your organization.

Belonging begets collaboration

Employees 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 employees 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.

Belonging betters businesses

Fostering a sense of belonging — both within an organization and between its teams — can also be financially advantageous to companies. Belonging reduces the possibility of turnover and improves employee morale. Employees 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. It has a positive impact on improving the quality of team members and the productivity of the organization. Having a more productive workforce can naturally have a positive impact on a company’s bottom line.

Interested in learning more about workplace belonging but not sure where to start? Contact Vityl. Backed by leading research, we focus on empowering leaders and employees with prescriptive recommendations and resources to grow individually while building culture together. As employees engage in new actions and achieve culture goals, employers realize stronger retention and performance.

Belonging is the ultimate force multiplier for today’s teams and organizations. To learn more about Vityl and unlock the power of belonging, visit the Pricing page.