Building Community in the Workplace

We spend up to a third of our lives at work, so it’s no surprise that having a sense of community at work is a significant step in combating the loneliness epidemic and improving mental well-being. However, well-being isn’t the only benefit that comes from a sense of belonging at work; productivity is also boosted. Discover how to foster a more connected workplace with the tips below.

Before we explore how to foster belonging, it’s essential to understand how to recognize the signs of not belonging. Forbes notes that these signs can be subtle, but leaders can take steps to avoid this.

There are many steps that leaders can take to build greater connection in the workplace; one of the first can be encouraging ongoing dialogue. One unique way to do this can be by purposely ending team meetings with an unresolved question. This technique can spark informal follow-ups, according to Inc.

Although they may be cheesy, don’t dismiss the power of icebreakers. The American Psychological Association shares how structured activities like these can bring people together, especially new employees. As a bonus, icebreakers are easily adaptable to remote work settings.

Ready to dive even deeper? In this video, Qian Julie Wang discusses how to create happier work environments.