Authenticity is the key to connection and belonging.
Jessica Grossmeier
International Speaker and Advisor on best practices in workplace well-being and workplace spirituality | Award winning researcher | Author
The Journey: The Path of Authenticity
One in three Americans feel lonely every week, according to a January 2024 poll of U.S. adults by the American Psychiatric Association. Only 17% of those surveyed indicated the workplace as a place where they feel a high sense of belonging and social connection. This is a serious problem.
Early in my career, I came to the hard reality that my relationships at work significantly influenced my overall quality of life and well-being. As much as I tried to compartmentalize my life into the “professional me” and the “personal me,” what was happening in my workplace relationships naturally spilled over into my personal life. It wasn’t until I learned that it was okay to let my guard down and bring a more authentic version of myself to work that I experienced a whole new sense of belonging.
Being authentic in our conversations with one another is key to addressing loneliness and building belonging. Social scientist Brené Brown beautifully describes belonging:
"Belonging is the spiritual practice of believing in and belonging to yourself so deeply that you can share your most authentic self with the world. True belonging does not require you to change who you are; it requires you to be who you are."
Brene’ Brown says in her book Daring Greatly: ?
“Authenticity is a collection of choices that we have to make every day. It’s about the choice to show up and be real. The choice to be honest. The choice to let our true selves be seen.”
When we alter our behaviors at work to fit in—acting out of alignment with our core values or who we know ourselves to be—we diminish our sense of belonging. We might feel accepted, but only because we’re changing how we show up to fit in. This can lead to a deeper sense of loneliness. We need to be more real and authentic with one another. What steps can we take towards showing up more authentically in our lives and in our work?
Social psychologist and researcher Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad studies the link between social connectedness and health. In her research, she identifies three major components of support that influence our sense of connection:
Here are five ways to foster a culture of connection and belonging in the workplace:
By implementing these strategies, organizations support more authentic conversations at work, strengthen social connection, and increase a sense of belonging.
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A few resources on belonging and connections in the workplace:?
The Road Ahead:?
Improve Your Well-Being Through Meaningful Connections at Work - a virtual workshop with Stanford Healthy Living?
Starting on October 30th, I’ll be leading a virtual workshop with Stanford Healthy Living on how to foster more satisfying and supportive workplace relationships. During this interactive online class series, we’ll explore the science of meaningful connections and their impact on job satisfaction and well-being. Attendees will work on specific skills intended to create new connections and deepen existing relationships at work. Space is limited, so register here .?
About Jessica
Jessica Grossmeier, PhD, MPH is an award-winning researcher, speaker, and author of Reimagining Workplace Well-being . She is a leading voice in workforce well-being and was recently recognized as one of the most influential leaders in health promotion. Jessica currently works with employers and well-being service providers to identify evidence-based practices to support employee well-being and foster a culture of health. Access Jessica’s resources and join her email list, here: jessicagrossmeier.com/resources
Global Franchise Director
3 周We hear so much about the epidemic of lonliness but this is the first time I see someone addressing it in the workplace. We spend such a great deal of our lives at work, to have this NOT be a place of connectedness and belonging is such a shame and disservice to our humanity. We all have much to offer, if we can have the braveness to bring our whole selves, and have work places embrace employees who bring it all. It will make for richer and far more inclusive workspaces.
CEO Peer Advisory Chair | Strategic Advisor | Leadership Coach | Speaker & Mentor | Non-Executive Director | CEO | CGO | COO
4 周Jessica, your insights on fostering authentic connections speaks deeply to me. Creating environments where individuals feel valued is essential for both personal and collective well-being. As we strive for sustainable business growth, let’s remember that genuine relationships are the foundation of impactful change. Thank you for championing this vital conversation!
Follow for posts about leadership, well-being, & team dynamics ??Research-based insights for optimal leadership | Researcher | Author | Speaker
1 个月Belonging and connectedness are important topics, so it's great to see this article, Jessica Grossmeier. Authenticity is certainly a key part to building connection. I've also been considering the role of group identification. There's something about our current society — people seem to increasingly view other people as 'other' instead of feeling united by a common humanity or a common workplace. I wonder how much that plays into the epidemic of loneliness.
Movement and Mindfulness breaks for Professionals ????| Keeping 9-5ers Out of Pain ???? | Partnering with Employee Wellbeing Programs | Mind/Body Instructor | Devotional Chant Leader
1 个月Authenticity is both an inner and outer process. After years of trying to dig down and get to know my authentic self I realize that it takes: (1) asking yourself questions and being open to any answer, not necessarily the one you were taught (2) feeling safe to share this person even if it's different than the one that married the partner, had the children, started the career (3) trusting the people and places to be open to your authentic self, even if it is contrary to the groups you are a part of. Authenticity is truly accepting we are all made of likes, dislikes, personalities, reactions, and upbringing. But there's a part of us that is beyond all of that that unites us. ??
Organizational Wellbeing Consultant
1 个月Belonging is crucial for workplace wellbeing. Organizations and leaders must prioritize creating psychological safety, enabling employees to bring their authentic selves to work. Many leaders and managers would benefit from more learning and development opportunities focused on fostering healthy, inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. While many workplaces recognize the steps needed, the challenge now is making it a business priority.