As a consultant one works across several client locations/offices/teams. This in turn makes one privy to several conversations and team dynamics without being a part of the organisational hierarchy or politics. One human behaviour that I noticed and continued to notice throughout was when a leader shares a joke, his immediate team would laugh out the loudest. This was fairly evident when the leader is taking a floor walk and stopping by someone’s desk. What struck me was that often people did not even understand the joke, but laughed along…I am sure we all might have done this at some point of time - nodded our head in affirmation during a discussion though not following it completely; bought a pair of shoes to feel a part of the group in your college or your office gang, went to a party because everyone else is going or watched a movie that everyone is discussing though it’s not what you normally prefer to watch…the list can be endless. As humans we crave for social acceptance and connectedness.
Abraham Maslow placed social needs at #3 after the physiological and safety/security needs. The need for human relationships drives behaviour. Seeking interaction and affiliation, forming and maintaining long term bonds is a huge influencer, motivator for all of us. We depend on groups right from childhood. Social groups exert high cognitive influence on its members and this starts from childhood. Humans are deeply dependent on their group members. Often copying skills and practices enables us to learn how to survive in diverse, difficult environments
By belonging to a group, one feels that one is a part of something bigger and more important than ourselves. It is also a kind of affirmation that motivates us. This is what organisations aim for - getting together diverse teams, motivating them to work towards a common vision, mission and goal. And if the goals are tied in with personal goals, the sense of belonging is even higher. It serves as a tool for employee retention.
According to Baumeister & Leary, there can be two criteria’s to satisfy to fulfil the need to belong “First, individuals must have relatively frequent, positively valanced (or at least non-aversive) interactions with at least a few other people. Second, these interactions must take place within a framework of long-lasting affective concern for each other's welfare.”
Amidst social distancing and remote working due to COVID19, organisations will have to think about newer ways to support already existing methods to enhance or create a sense of belonging which will be a key issue in the months to come. Building a sense of belonging is an important aspect of building an inclusive organisation. Team events, off-sites, workshops, personality assessments, guided interventions need to be thought through in the new normal. While a virtual forum of the above methods is being practiced by most organisations, it is highly recommended to be supported through:
Regular check-ins that allow employees to have relative frequent conversation in a positive non-judgemental way.
Get key stakeholders, leaders and tenured employees to conduct these check-ins and invest in long term well-being of the team/individual as against a one off conversation. It might be worthwhile to equip leaders with techniques to facilitate these discussions. External, expert help can be sought.
Create avenues where employees can ask questions, clarify doubts on how to behave in a difficult situations or when dealing with ethical, moral, emotional situations. These forums should be structured to help people raise concerns, get the right support, timely.
Stringent action when reported on incidents of workplace bullying. This is the time for leaders to ‘walk the talk’ and not leave inclusion at a “core value” level in the board room.
People will vary in their ‘need to belong’ on a scale and hence a mix of the above initiatives with a well-designed, flexible Employee Assistance Program will highly recommended.
Practicing social distancing, virtual working has already had a significant impact on our mental well-being. This is here to stay. Look around people in your social atom who need help or a safe space. You will make a deeper impact with them. Get going today to create inclusive, humane, compassionate workplaces of future.
What actions do you plan to take? Please share in the comment box or if you would like to discuss, write to us at connect@thetalentalchemy.com
