5 Ways to Boost Workplace Belonging
by Sam Levine
Belonging is a basic human need
When an organization creates a culture of belonging, it creates an environment where people feel secure and confident.
1. Workplace Allies
Allies are people with privilege who try to use their influence to magnify the voices of underrepresented or marginalized groups. Allies in the workplace seek out opportunities to advocate for others and they help create a support system that greatly improves the employee experience.
2. Collect Feedback
Change can’t happen without listening. What you don’t want is your employees feeling they have no one to turn to when they feel they don’t belong, especially if they don’t feel comfortable bringing their concerns to their manager.
3. Education
Today’s workforce – and especially managers – need a whole new set of skills to succeed. Learning these skills takes time and, most importantly, practice; it is crucial that managers undergo this training in a supportive environment where they can ask questions and learn from their peers.
4. Team bonding
It’s important to give your team opportunities to get to know one another outside of the workplace. A change of scenery can get everyone out of “work mode” and allow employees to meet new people and strengthen existing relationships.
5. Frequent, ongoing feedback
One-on-one meetings are an essential tool for building and maintaining trust. They become increasingly important for remote employees to feel connected and heard
Creating a culture of belonging doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time, training, and patience to make people aware of the intentional and unintentional behaviors that could be singling someone out.
Hone is a live online training solution with classes proven to teach managers the skills they need to succeed in the modern workplace.