The Power of Belonging in the Workplace: How feeling valued impacts Your Career

During a recent conversation, a professional shared with me her feelings about her work environment. Her words. “I am silenced at work “was filled with a profound sense of pain and it highlights an internal struggle that many professionals experience. She added that being “silenced at work” has led to her being disengaged from her work.

From her perspective, her views and contributions are not valued, and she does not feel that she belongs to the organisation. Consequently, she has stopped sharing her views at meetings and engaging in meaningful conversations with her colleagues.

What is Belonging?

Belonging in the workplace refers to the extent to which one feels valued and accepted within a team or a group.

This feeling is often influenced by the words and actions of others. This feeling can be on a sliding scale of low to high depending on other factors such as your values, life events, personality traits, and cultural background.

According to the Great Place to work organsiation, "Belonging in the workplace is an employee's sense that their uniqueness is accepted by their organsation and colleagues.

Why Belonging Matters?

Feeling like you belong in your workplace is crucial for your emotional and psychological well-being and it helps drive motivation and productivity. Belonging is the third level in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a theory proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943. Maslow identified five levels of human needs: physiological, safety, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualisation. Although society has evolved since then, the concept of belonging remains relevant today, extending from the workplace to online interactions.

Without a strong sense of belonging in the workplace, it becomes difficult to grow and advance your career. This highlights that success and fulfillment in the workplace are not just about competence in tasks but also about emotional and psychological needs.

A professional who feels a sense of belonging is more likely to engage with their work, collaborate with colleagues, and contribute innovative ideas. This boosts confidence and fosters a sense of ownership within the organisation. Conversely, a low or zero sense of belonging can lead to disengagement, which often manifests as absenteeism, stress-related illnesses, and silence. Over time, this disengagement can lead to career stagnation.

Have you ever felt like an outsider in your workplace?

If you have ever felt like an outsider in your workplace, you are not alone. While this sense of disconnection can be challenging, it is something you can overcome. Here are some practical steps to help you build connections, foster professional growth, and transform feelings of being “out of place” into a genuine sense of belonging.

Enhance your relationship with your manager: I often hear professionals say that they rarely engage in meaningful conversation with their manager. Though I find this concerning, I recognise that there may be underlying reasons why this is the case. Bearing in mind that your manager has a key role in supporting your growth and development, enhancing your relationship can be beneficial. You can start with small steps such as preparing questions about your career development for your next one-to-one meeting. Alternatively, you could share a recent accomplishment. These small actions can help shift the dynamics of your relationship.

Enhance Your Visibility: The more visible you are, the more likely it is that you will be included in important conversations and decisions. You can start by sharing your ideas at meetings, attending events, and sharing your accomplishments. Extending your visibility beyond your team can help other stakeholders to recognise your contributions. What can you do differently to enhance your visibility at work?

Be Curious and Stay Informed: Set time aside to expand your knowledge about the trends in your sector and within your organisation. Being well-informed can increase your confidence and position you for opportunities. Whether it is learning about the impact of A1 in your sector or global market trends, a curious mindset can help you ask questions and contribute to discussions confidently.

Fostering Belonging in Your Workplace: Ten Steps for Everyone

While much of the responsibility for fostering a sense of belonging lies with managers and HR, every colleague plays a role in creating an inclusive environment. Here are Ten ways to make your colleagues feel valued:

1. Create a safe space by adopting a non-judgmental approach.

2. Use inclusive language that shows respect for all groups and values diversity.

3. Celebrate vulnerability as it can encourage your colleagues to admit mistakes and ask for feedback and support without fear.

4. Appreciate everyone's contribution.

5. Share information widely, not just with your select groups.

6. Practice active listening and avoid interrupting your colleagues when they are speaking.

7. Spell your colleagues’ names correctly and check the pronunciation and shortened version with them first.

8. Recognise all religious events and personal milestones.

9. Be mindful of creating cliques that exclude others and hinder effective collaboration.

10. Check in regularly with your colleagues as this can make them feel valued.

    
    

Conclusion: Empowering Your Career Growth

Belonging is essential for both personal and professional growth. A professional who feels part of their organization is more likely to seek and embrace new opportunities.

If you are feeling disconnected or disengaged, do not suffer in silence. Seek support before it affects your well-being.

Take a moment to reflect: How connected do you feel in your current work environment? Remember, fostering a culture of belonging benefits not only your career but also your organisation

What steps could you take today to enhance your sense of belonging or help others feel more valued?