Not Just Diversity and Equity: The New Corporate Focus on Belonging

The newest theme in business is to create a sense of "belonging" - the feeling of being included, respected, and fully involved in the company, team, or organization. After conversations with more than 40 Diversity and Inclusion leaders, here are my thoughts on why Belonging is the key to figuring this out.  Read this article for the various frameworks and examples. Reference Materials Why Diversity has become a business priority. The value of belonging at work, in HBR Women in the Workplace 2019, by McKinsey Introducing People Success: Helping People Be their Best and Do their Best at Work, Glint  Why Inclusive Leaders Are Good for Organizations, and How to Become One. The Trouble with Gender Targets Dobbin, F., & Kalev, A. (2016, July-August). Why diversity programs fail: And what works better. Harvard Business Review, 94(7-8), 52-60. Toward a systemic and inclusive framework. In B. M. Ferdman & B. R. Deane (Eds.), Diversity at work: The practice of inclusion (p. 3–54). Jossey-Bass. https:// doi.org/10.1002/9781118764282.ch1 Plaut VC1, Garnett FG, Buffardi LE, Sanchez-Burks J. (2011) “What about me?” Perceptions of exclusion and whites’ reactions to multiculturalism. Macdonald G1, Leary MR. Psychol Bull. 2005 Mar;131(2):202-23. Why does social exclusion hurt? The relationship between social and physical pain. Why rejection hurts. https://www.edge.org/conversation/naomi_eisenberger-why-rejection-hurts Walton, G. M., & Cohen, G. L. (2007). A question of belonging: Race, social fit, and achievement. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 92(1), 82–96. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.92.1.82 https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2F0022-3514.92.1.82 Fear of Being Different Stifles Talent. https://hbr.org/2014/03/fear-of-being-different-stifles-talent Shore, L.M., Randel, A.E., Chung, B., Dean, M.A., Ehrhart, K.H., Singh, G. (2011). Inclusion and diversity in work groups: A review and model for future research. Journal of Management, 37. Making it safe: the effects of leader inclusiveness and professional status on psychological safety and improvement efforts in health care teams, Ingrid M. Nembhard Amy C. Edmondson Value Inclusion, Belonging, and Equity for All, by Workday