The Rawness of Not Belonging

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What It’s About: I sat in a circle with a group of people, and asked them to describe moments or times when they felt they didn’t belong. It took just moments for the words describing raw pain to come rolling out . 

“I felt so alone, so irrelevant.”

“I sat in the parking lot crying before I could muster up the courage to go in and start my day of being excluded.”

“I tried to reach out to get to know people, but I just don’t think they wanted me there.”

“They spent lots of time interviewing me, and then when I got the job it was like I didn’t matter.” 

“When we had team meetings, any time I offered a view, it was like no one heard what I said. I felt so marginalized.”

“I tried to fit in, but changing myself to be accepted made me feel worse.”

Etc. Etc. 

So What?: I can’t understand why leaders would allow people that work for them to feel like this. How can people do their best work, or even make an average contribution, when they feel excluded or left out? 

Now What?: Investing with intention. Creating conditions where all people (and I really mean ALL) belong and contribute is totally achievable. It requires six values and six behaviors. Want to learn more? Email me at Lorne@belongify.com. 

Think Big, Start Small, Act Now, 

Lorne 

One Millennial View: Sometimes it is surprising how many people seem to have similar stories about a lack of belonging, and even worse, a high tolerance for despair. Why? I hope that if you’re reading this blog, you’re at least intentionally interested and aware about the benefits of belonging, and also can ramp up the self-worth necessary to realize that you can be your true, authentic self. Fight to find that place, and be searching elsewhere if you’re stuck.

- Garrett

One Gen Z View: As it should be, Logan is off Halloweening.

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis. 




















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































 

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