After these last few years, it's particularly important to be intentional when it comes to creating a sense of belonging for everyone in your organization.

A whack (one whack = a whole lot) of research shows that a sense of belonging is critical to success, at an individual, team, and company-wide level. When employees feel as though they belong, they are more engaged, more loyal, work more collaboratively, and are more resilient.

According to research by the non-profit research think tank Coqual, a sense of belonging at work is rooted in four key elements: 1) being seen for your unique contributions; 2) being connected to your coworkers; 3) being supported in your daily work and career development; and 4) feeling proud of your organization’s values and purpose. Coqual has created a 10-point scale to measure each of those four elements, so, how would you rate your sense of belonging at work? This could make a great exercise to start an important conversation with your team. 

Senior leaders and managers have a critical role to play when it comes to creating a sense of belonging at work, but they can't do it alone. All employees need to play a role in this. You can contribute to a greater sense of belonging by genuinely checking in with your colleagues, taking the time to talk and truly listen to your fellow employees, asking them for their ideas and input, sharing inclusive humor that unites everyone, thanking and praising your teammates, and communicating openly and honestly with your peers. 

And, although not mentioned specifically in the research, bringing chocolate to work for everyone will, without a doubt, increase everyone's sense of belonging!