How to ensure your company culture is welcoming for all
Belonging is a basic human need that fuels our success and happiness in the workplace and beyond. At home, belonging might come from a loving family, a collaborative network of neighbors, a church group, a bowling league, or a Facebook group. But at work, belonging isn’t necessarily in the employee’s hands. New diverse hires are up against a greater culture, and if that culture isn’t optimized to accommodate diverse hires, they can feel left out. Clearly, if a new hire consistently finds themselves on the outside looking in, they won’t stick around long.
However, creating a sense of belonging for diverse employees isn’t difficult and can even benefit the entire team.
First, it’s important to understand what belonging means in the workplace. It means feeling valued, like your insights are heard and respected. You have an opportunity to contribute, and you’re taken seriously when you do. Belonging isn’t about fitting in, as employees tend to diminish their individuality when they do this. Instead, belonging is about having the space to be yourself and still feel like part of the team. This kind of professional environment can be achieved in a few key ways.
Reprogram the culture
Emotional connections are key to belonging, so employees need constant opportunities to forge these connections. When feedback is delivered, it should be done so in a timely, personalized manner, not in a group setting and not when the feedback is no longer relevant. Employees should be informed of important company developments and progress on projects. And, there should be scheduled events that give employees the chance to discuss their experiences and find common ground.
Speak to the bigger picture
Your company values drive your overarching mission. It’s crucial that you help employees understand how they fit into that equation. Always reinforce what your values are and how your employee’s work helps deliver those values.
Motivate in a relevant way
It’s no secret – rewards and recognition can go a long way, but only if they’re tailored to what actually drives and motivates your team. The workplace should be fun, but in a way that includes everyone. For example, kombucha on tap might not be a big draw for a group of diverse employees who come from financially strained backgrounds where high-priced probiotics weren’t available or attainable. A more universal beverage, like sparkling water, might be more appropriate.
Encourage empathy
You should have the ability to stand in your employees’ shoes and recognize the challenges they’re facing as they assimilate into your culture. What tools did you need to make the transition seamless? How can you do the same for your new team members, but also ensure those tools are tweaked to reflect diverse employees’ unique needs?
Push for collaboration
Don’t allow your teams to remain siloed. Create opportunities for employees to work across functions and departments. The more they collaborate, the more likely they are to find common ground with their peers, learn the company, and show their value.
Keep communication open
Lastly, make sure diverse hires have a place to share their experiences and know that they’re being taken seriously. If someone feels they aren’t given a chance to speak in meetings, listen to the feedback and advocate for them – create that space. Show them that you hear them and that you’re willing to take action. If diverse employees feel heard and they see action, they’ll feel that they belong.
At work, a culture of belonging works for everyone regardless of who they are, what they know, or where they come from. One of the best engagements I’ve been on is with Splunk in the midst of Covid-19. For the first time in my tenure in the D&I and Talent Acquisition space Splunk has led the way not only in diversity and inclusion – but building a community where everyone is treated with respect, where people were recognized and encouraged. Splunk understands that their talent, internal or prospective are their stakeholders too. Hats off on a job well done!