Inclusion and Belonging

Building a diverse team is critical to creating and maintaining a successful business. But diversity alone isn’t enough⁠—leaders also need to cultivate inclusion and belonging in the workplace.

Think of your workplace as a party. Diversity means inviting different kinds of people to the party. Inclusion means encouraging them to help make the gathering great. Belonging means that everyone is able to kick-back, relax, and feel comfortable.

Now, let’s take a closer look at inclusion and belonging and see why they’re important to your team.

Inclusion

When a team is inclusive, team members are encouraged to share ideas and leaders work to make sure that everyone feels valued. The results are tangible; businesses benefit when they prioritize inclusivity. According to one recent study, teams that follow an inclusive process make decisions twice as fast with half as many meetings.

Belonging

When employees feel a sense of belonging, they feel like they fit in, they are more connected to their coworkers, and they believe that their work has purpose. The result is greater creativity and lower employee turnover. Research shows that when employees report a strong sense of belonging, they are more engaged and productive.

Keep in mind that there is no hierarchy when it comes to diversity, inclusion, and belonging. All three are crucial to the success and stability of an organization—not to mention a party!