Inclusion vs Belonging
Annemarie Shrouder (she, her)
Bridge Builder | Creating Space for the Both/And | Building Belonging ...from the inside out!
This past Wednesday I held a Round Table Discussion on Inclusion vs Belonging.
The goal was to hear from folx if they think there is a difference, and if so, what it is.
We had a small group and a robust conversation, and here are a few nuggets that I'd like to share here with you:
They ARE Different
First, although inclusion and belonging are often now seen together, and therefore the risk of using them interchangeably exists, they really are quite distinct.
Here's what Oxford Languages has to say about them:
Inclusion:
The action or state of including or of being included within a group or structure.
The practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.
Belonging:
An affinity for a place or situation.
This distinction was corroborated by our participant word clouds, which (although some words were the same) had many different words to describe the feeling of inclusion and the feeling of belonging. How these words feel is critical, in my opinion, because the work we do to achieve these states requires our hearts - not just our intellect and awareness.
In my opinion, inclusion is something that is offered to some by others - and to those who are marginalized by those who have social power.
Belonging is a co-creation that involves everyone.
Inclusion by Default
We had a great discussion about inclusion "by default". Places and spaces that are open to everyone (like schools), and so technically they are, by default, inclusive. But when we scratch below the surface, does everyone feel it? Remember, inclusion needs to be purposeful.
We spoke about the difference it makes in terms of how inclusion is offered, and by whom. And we underscored the importance of having an understanding of the value of inclusion when we are extending that invitation.
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Ultimately we decided that inclusion can get folx in the door, but that the "next level" is belonging.
Belonging
Belonging, it was decided, feels more secure. The word "covenant" was used (which, according to Oxford Learning means an agreement). We also spoke about an effortlessness to belonging that didn't come up with inclusion.
Because I see inclusion as a co-creation, these make sense to me. Belonging comes from, and builds, community. It brings people together, and is created from that togetherness. We talked about the importance of having something in common or a commonality - even if it's just (in the case of a workplace) where you work and the vision or purpose your company holds.
Belonging (and building it) is what I'm leaning into more and more these days as I work with clients large and small on leadership, engagement, high performance teams, and reach. I think it's the natural evolution of the work we have been doing for decades to help people feel acknowledged, be engaged, and be happier & more productive at work.
It's also why I host a community for leaders called Heart of Belonging. Although belonging is a co-creation, we do have to be purposeful about what we are doing, and how. Using our hearts is part of how we build belonging. If you're interested in checking it out, please DM me. I'd be happy to have you join us for a session as a guest.
Round Table Discussions
We have two more Round Table Discussions coming up:
The goal is to share, discuss, and explore.
The Round Tables are free, and you can register here. Space is limited.
Hope to see you there!