Fitting is not the same as belonging

Have you ever tried to act slightly different to be more accepted in a group? If you said yes, you are not alone.

It’s so common for us as people to do what we need to do to feel part of the herd, let's face it, it's not nice being on the outside and excluded.

It comes from our early stages of humanity where being part of a group meant safety and access to shelter and food, we are programmed to want to be accepted for survival. Whereas nowadays it’s not for survival at the extreme level it would have been then.

Today belonging to a group and feeling truly accepted for who you are as an individual, means you don’t? have to put on a mask. It means being free to be you and to lean in to your strengths without any fear of judgement.

In the workplace, this feeling of belonging is what create an environment where each person can contribute, is safe to fail, learn and grow and to push past barriers with confidence in the support around them.

As a leader, you set the tone and can encourage belonging cues in your team. Belonging cues are subtle indicators that assure your team of their security within the group dynamic. This creates a sense of 'psychological safety,' where team members feel confident in their trust for you, their peers, and the collective future you are shaping together. ?

There are 5 pillars of belonging:

1. Welcomed: You are part of this group.
2. Connected: This group is special, we have high standards.
3. Included: I believe you can meet those standards.
4. Known: You are valued and important.
5. Supported: This is a safe place to give.

With this in mind, here are my top suggestions to create a sense of belonging in your workplace:

• Encourage Open Communication: Create an environment where each person can speak honestly and openly.
• Promote Inclusive Leadership: Ensure you include and value everyone's input, their different communication styles, ideas and abilities.
• Support Authenticity: Allow your team members to be themselves without fear of judgment.
• Recognise Contributions: Regularly acknowledge and appreciate your team’s efforts and achievements.
• Enhance Team Bonding: Organise activities that build team relationships.
• Develop a Shared Vision: Create and communicate a common goal that aligns the team’s efforts and aligns their individual goals with the overall vision.

This was a topic that I had the pleasure to speak about whilst delivering the workshop on 'Reward and Retain RIGHT'??through the Cairns Chamber of Commerce last week as part of their RIGHT series supported by the Regional jobs committee. Belonging and connected values are key to retaining great people.?

Photo credit: Cairns Chamber of Commerce.

In other news:?Flourish - the program for rising female leaders commence on 3rd July 2024.

Flourish is divided into four key areas:

Self-Understanding: Gain deep insights into your strengths and potential. Impact Creation: Define the impact you want to make and how to achieve it. Empowering Others: Develop skills to inspire and uplift those around you. Organisational Application: Apply your leadership to drive change and innovation within your organisation.

Flourish is delivered over a 12 month period and is divided into four specific areas that allow you to gain deep understanding of yourself through to clarity in how to empower others and apply this into your desired area.

12 month program | Monthly workshops | Fortnightly check-in

Further details here: www.scalableskills.com.au/flourish

Reach out to enquire for yourself or your team members.?

If you wish to engage with me in coaching and development for your leaders and teams to enhance engagement, empowerment and effectiveness, simply reply to this email and let's have a conversation.?

Thank you for reading my newsletter, have a sensational day.?

With appreciation

Lesley