The Belonging Basics

Training overview

Wrap your arms around what belonging means, why it matters, and how you can build it at work by building real and psychologically safe relationships at work.

Belonging doesn’t just help employees feel better and gain more agency to show up as themselves at work: it also ignites their creativity and contributions, Perry says. Productivity and innovation are keys to success in today’s workplace, and leading brands recognize this truth. Yet, far too many company cultures resist new ideas or dissenting opinions. Developing an environment where innovation can thrive takes concrete actions, including fostering safety and trust  the belonging building blocks.

Before an employee can enjoy a felt sense of belonging at work, they must first experience a sense of psychological safety on the job. To assess if an employee feels safe at work, ask them: Do you believe you can ask for help when you need it, admit to a mistake when you make one, and offer constructive feedback when you have it, without fear of negative consequences (i.e., job loss, being overlooked for a promotion, or missing out on a stretch assignment)?