We humans have an innate need to belong — this includes when we’re at work. When people feel like they belong at work, they are more productive, motivated, and engaged.
This Harvard Business Review article from Karyn Twaronite details research with over 1,000 working adults which highlighted how many people want more connection with those they work with. The results highlighted one simple solution to support this desire for greater connection: establish more opportunities for colleagues to check in with one another.
What didn’t seem to matter that much for belonging was face time with senior leadership that wasn’t personal. Being invited to big or external events or presentations by senior leaders, as well as being copied on their emails, was simply less meaningful to employees when it came to feeling a sense of belonging.
Importantly, different people have different preferences for checking in so learning how to engage with employees in a way that they feel comfortable is key to creating a sense of community.
Here are some tips on how to check in with colleagues:
Seize the small opportunities to connect: Seize small daily opportunities to genuinely connect. For example, a simple “How are you doing? How can I support you?” could go a long way in nearly every setting.
Check bias at the door: Check-ins are a time to listen. If someone shares something that you don’t understand or agree with, you might consider acknowledging their point of view or asking them to tell you more. For instance, “Tell me more about it.”
Assume positive intent: Start any conversation with your colleagues believing that those talking or listening mean well, especially when it comes to difficult issues.
It’s OK to be vulnerable: Expressing vulnerability by acknowledging the other person’s views and talking openly about challenges you’re facing humanizes the relationship.
Be consistent and accountable: Be transparent and model consistent, inclusive behaviour, even under pressure or during difficult conversations.
We would add a final watch-out. Our wiring as humans mean that we will tend to form ingroups and outgroups. Raise awareness and monitor your behaviour to ensure that you are not checking in more frequently with certain individuals (potentially those in your ingroup) and not others (potentially those in your outgroup), otherwise your checking in behaviour could unintentionally fuel an experience of belonging for some and exclusion for others.
You can check out the original article here.
