Socialisation and belonging continue to feature highly on the agenda for organisations building high performance workplaces.
Socialisation and feelings of belonging can enhance a sense of “team” and enable employees to acquire the strong interpersonal skills necessary for many jobs. Attention continues to be paid to the importance of socialisation and belonging in achieving a high performing organisation. The Deloitte Global 2022 Gen Z and Millennial Survey found that a positive workplace culture including a sense of belonging was one of the top reasons Gen Z and Millennials choose to work for a particular organisation (23% in each age group).
This Future of Work Hub podcast explores how employers should redefine their relationship with staff to architect their value proposition. Owen Eastwood’s best-selling book Belonging: The ancient code of togetherness explores a compelling case that a sense of belonging is key to a high-performing team, whether in sport or in business.
As the numbers of employers adopting hybrid working arrangements increases, greater attention is being given to the purpose of colleagues being present in an office with many organising office days to facilitate socialisation and a sense of belonging. Belonging is a key component of inclusion and employers increasingly look to ensure that their DE&I initiatives and wider benefit provision ensure all employees feel included and accepted.
Arguably, the need for a sense of belonging has contributed to emerging divisions in society. Brexit in the UK, for example, has become tribal and a part of many people’s identity. Where this happens, the pros and cons of the decision become less important.
In the US, Donald Trump’s supporters no doubt feel a sense of belonging for being part of that movement as, undoubtedly, do supporters of other causes. The rise of nationalism can also be attributed, at least in part, to people’s need for a sense of belonging in a changing world that many see as passing them by.