How to Create a Culture of Belonging

Leaders at all levels are now being asked to achieve a common goal: to make sure that everyone on their team feels like they belong. There is widespread recognition that, if they don't, employees will walk. On the other hand, if people do feel like they belong, they will not only stay and feel valued, they will perform better. The author, a Chair in Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Toronto, shows that belonging relates to many personal characteristics: racial and gender representation and sensitivity, sexual orientation, physical appearance and disability, to name a few. Going forward, she shows that senior leaders need to empower managers to address belonging by celebrating employees, creating space to let people show their whole selves and making time to hear about their negative experiences. Together, such actions can remove the burden of 'code switching' - of people feeling like they have to adjust the way they speak, dress, act, etc. in order to be accepted at work.