What is “belonging” and what does it look like in the workplace? How can companies best foster it, and what does it mean to actually have a culture of belonging? The Michigan Chamber Foundation’s latest DE&I webinar covered this topic and more in Cultivating Belonging: Embracing Uniqueness and Differences.
Why it matters: Talent acquisition can be costly, and so can losing talent to a toxic work environment. A strong sense of belonging not only improves workplace satisfaction, but also improves retention rates.
Show me examples: DE&I and “belonging” is so far beyond gender and race, and truly comes down to meeting people where they are in their personal and professional lives. For example, professionals can be single, married, parents, caring for family members, introverted, extroverted, etc. — and those factors should play a role in how employees are engaged and supported in the office. So, what does this look like?
- A successful program allows employees to feel welcome, seen, heard and supported.
- Support in professional endeavors, whether that’s continuing education or career advancement within the organization.
- Encouraging creation of employee led Employee Resource Groups to improve collaboration within like-minded employees.
Being “invited to the party” versus “being a part of the party” was a great analogy highlighted by guests Wendy Holmes with Comerica, and Lenna Turner with Salary.com. They both shared actional items that every employer or interested employee can begin with today:
- Employee Engagement Surveys (and if you have a survey, you must act!).
- Active listening and allowing water cooler conversations.
- Incorporate food and music in an employee engagement opportunity to encourage participation.
The Four C’s are a great barometer for measuring your existing program. They are:
- Career: Focus on professional development and talent attraction.
- Connections: Networking within an organization.
- Community: Volunteerism and creating opportunities to give back as a group.
- Culture: Understanding within leadership on how to create that belonging and putting it into action.
The bottom line: Belonging cannot be avoided with a workforce that is already difficult to attain and retain. Resources are available, including the Josh Bersin Academy and more.
For more: Check out the recorded webinar below for more details and information on how to grow the sense belonging in your company!