Fall is here, many are navigating back-to-school complexities, and nearly all of us are facing a perpetual state of uncertainty, anxiety, and fatigue. Not quite pain, not quite excitement, we’re hovering somewhere in the middle, aiming as best we can for safe, content, and good enough.

Can you relate?

This idea of languishing has been on my mind a lot. Instead of happiness, we may be better served by a new goal in these weird, endless times: belonging.

My observation is that much of this existential distress we may feel, outside of the obvious factors (pandemic, climate doom, racial injustice, political division, economic survival, etc.) is that we’re struggling to find our place in the whole of things.

One of my favorite thought leaders in this field, Josh Bersin, shares some powerful research and an insightful framework on belonging in the workplace here.

He says: 

In fact Glint’s new research found that Belonging is the most powerful D&I measure of all: people who feel they belong are six-times more likely to be highly engaged. BetterUp research shows a 56% reduction in turnover, and also shows that “unbelonging” encourages people to give up or sabotage work.”

For leaders, finding our own place in the whole of things is an important first step. 

Once we’re grounded, secure, and steady (enough), guiding others becomes a lot more effective.  A helpful frame for encouraging belonging on your team or organization comes from Lynn Shore and her colleagues, who remind us that belonging is a healthy marriage between honoring uniqueness and fostering inclusion:

So, when the places we used to belong no longer fit, exist, or feel right anymore, what do we do?

1. We look inside ourselves.
2. We get in communication and community.
3. We get curious about what’s possible.
4. We design our new spaces consciously.

Many of you have heard me say before, “Never waste a good existential crisis!” Now is a perfect time for self-reflection and making intentional choices. If you’re already underway with the Wholeness at Work program, you may recognize that this process is fully flushed out in the Roadmap to Wholeness. If you’re not yet there, join us. Belonging and contentment are calling you.

Here with you, and for you, friends.

To Your Wholeness,
Erin

Reposted from September 2021