Diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging are at the top of the agenda for today’s most competitive companies. And rightly so. In a recent study about why people leave their jobs, the top three reasons were telling. First, they don’t feel valued by their organization. Second, they don’t feel valued by their manager. And third, they don’t feel a sense of belonging at work.
Countless studies demonstrate the link between belonging and the bottom line. But belonging is about much more than shareholder value. It’s about the values we all share. And despite all the attention paid to diversity, equity, and inclusion — which has increased as we have become more aware of the social injustices in the last few years — large numbers of people still feel excluded at work because of who they are. When studies show that more than half of people are uncomfortable talking about diversity and inclusion at work for fear of saying the wrong thing, it’s time for a different approach.
That’s why Thrive is launching Thriving Belonging, which is now available to all of our customers and partners. Our unique approach is based on two fundamental truths. First, it’s up to all of us to create more inclusive workplaces. And second, we’re all going to make mistakes.
In 13 short videos, our hosts — BJ Fogg, Behavioral Science Chair of Thrive’s Scientific Advisory Board and founder and director of Stanford’s Behavior Design Lab; Thrive’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Aaliya Yaqub; Thrive’s Xandria James; and myself — explore the latest science on belonging, provide strategies for navigating cultural changes in the workplace, and start thought-provoking conversations on this deeply human topic that affects us all. For some, questions of diversity, equity and inclusion may seem abstract. For others, they’re daily concerns, impacting everything from physical and mental health to finances, job opportunities, and access to basic services. Thriving Belonging offers science, storytelling, and dozens of science-backed Microsteps for all of us. Because wherever we’re starting from, we are all on this journey together.
Thriving Belonging is also powered by insights from our own robust data engine. Our Pulse check feature has become the entry point to Thrive’s platform: it’s a daily question for employees that prompts a moment of reflection about their well-being — including their feelings of belonging at work — delivered via the platforms they’re already using, like Slack or Microsoft Teams, and offering them personalized, in-the-moment recommendations that can help them take the next best step to improve their well-being. Based on tens of thousands of daily conversations with employees around the world, here are some of the key insights:
- 92% say that they “welcome feedback about how I treat others”
- 87% say that “it is my responsibility to make my workplace welcoming to everyone”
- 74% can “think of concrete examples of when I have taken action to support a colleague, friend, or family member of a different culture”
- 68% can “think of times I’ve spoken up for other people”
- 57% feel “comfortable asking my coworkers about their unique personal cultures and customs”
- 73% of employees feel that they can be their “authentic self at work.”
Some of these responses are encouraging; others point at how far we still have to go, individually and collectively. That’s why we’re so excited to introduce Thriving Belonging.
Key Thriving Belonging concepts and strategies that can be tailored by any company include:
- Why a meaningful approach to diversity, inclusion and belonging must include an inner journey.
- Why grace, growth, and learning are so essential — and why creating a culture of belonging must include giving people space to learn from their mistakes.
- Strategies for acknowledging our mistakes and reframing them as learning opportunities.
- What it means to be an ally, along with steps you can take to advocate for others
- How listening sets us up to take meaningful action as allies.
- Steps leaders can take to create a culture of belonging, with a focus on networking and hiring.
- How leaders can be first responders for their people’s mental health.
- Microsteps for examining unconscious bias, strengthening psychological safety, being an ally, and more.
Learn more about how to bring Thriving Belonging to your company here.