Building Belonging In The Workplace

How can we blend work and life so that companies and employees pursue potential together?

Human beings are a social, collaborative, and cooperative species. At the core of our being is a need to connect, belong, and find meaning. Historically, these primary needs were satisfied through tribes and communities. As cultures evolved and industrialization spread, the workplace became a setting where relationships developed, and people were emotionally attached to their jobs and companies.

Work can provide people with far more than a paycheck. While compensation for effort is a critical component, work also serves as a platform to connect with people from multiple socio-economic, geographical, political, and cultural backgrounds. The modern workplace is one of our most prolific institutions, creating opportunities to engage, collaborate, and learn from others.

Productivity at the Expense of Connectivity

Technology has led to incredible improvements in workplace productivity. The ability to prepare spreadsheets that enable forecasting and budgeting has helped organizations better manage cash flow, CRM systems allow tracking of communication with customers and prospects, and process automation maintains consistency and ensures standardization. Goal setting and productivity software help set objectives, and video conferencing allows people from anywhere to talk and conduct meetings.  
 

Technology has been instrumental in helping companies become more productive. However, the response to Covid-19 and accompanying work-from-home mandates accentuated a substantial negative impact that overreliance on technology has had on people and business. Technology has tunneled our vision on productivity, blinding us to human attachment. The ability to virtually meet, message through apps and email, and connect to company resources remotely has been a meaningful advancement that was particularly useful during a pandemic, but it has come at a human cost.  

When non-essential businesses closed their doors, and employees began working remotely, it became clear to many that work served many human needs beyond a paycheck.  This was made evident by a record number of resignations, along with increases in anxiety, depression, and even suicide. While employees have continued working and remained “productive,” human connection and belonging have diminished. 

Dispelling the Work-Life Balance Myth 

The psychologically nourishing effect of the workplace in society is far more crucial than previously appreciated. Most working adults spend about half of their waking time doing work- or work-related activities. Work occupies the largest time block in a person’s life. Consequently, it is important to take advantage of this time to fulfill the basic human needs of connection and belonging.  

The idea of achieving a perfect work-life balance has become obsolete in the modern age and does not give credit to the benefits the workplace can offer to other aspects of one’s personal life.  Blending work and life in a symbiotic and harmonious way is not only more realistic given the numerous technologies and options we have today, but it is necessary for people to reach their potential.

The notion of work-life balance creates an adversarial and competitive relationship between two things that should be complementary. The impact of pitting work and life against one another is that work typically becomes demonized and belittled when it should be embraced as an opportunity to collaborate with people to learn, grow, and pursue personal potential. That is not to say one should ignore parts of their personal life to focus only on work. Rather, the message here is that work can actually contribute to your personal life such as friendships, purpose, motivation, and pleasure.

When looking at life and our pursuit of human potential, we should consider work as an integral part of our ability to achieve meaningful outcomes leading to personal fulfillment and internal joy. The concept of work-life balance should be retired and replaced with a work-life blend.    

Fostering Connection and Belonging Through Work

The role of companies and leaders is much more challenging today than it was just a few years ago. The confluence of social and technological changes has amplified the need for leaders to be proactive in creating greater connections and belonging for employees. This is complicated by social desires for independence and agency. Leaders should endeavor to create an environment of human connection and belonging while still enabling individuality and autonomy.

Businesses that quickly adapt to rapidly changing external impacts will experience a unique combination of company success, employee growth, and personal fulfillment. So, how can we blend work and life so that companies and employees pursue potential together?

Intentionally design, develop, and disseminate a meaningful and motivating culture accompanied by clear parameters and guardrails. Begin with developing a company statement of cause and determine the organization’s intention for employees, customers, and the community it serves. Since culture lives at the behavioral and habitual level, clearly define the behaviors and habits that enable the company to realize its potential.

Leverage the documented culture as a guiding light for an agile strategic platform that engages multiple levels and functions in implementing the plan. When done effectively, this creates meaningful connections and enhances the sense of belonging for employees.  

Provide a platform for employees to plan their lives following a framework that is similar to the company’s. In other words, encourage employees to identify their personal statement of cause and discover their pursuits by developing clear focus, actions, and habits around their relationships, wellness, work, and personal interests.  

Implement software that considers the humanity of the workplace just as much as it helps with productivity. Use technology that cultivates connection and meaningful relationships between employees (beyond productivity) enabling employees to pursue their potential through work, thereby helping the company achieve its desired outcomes and purpose.   

When business outcomes align with employee pursuits, then work and life becomes blended leading to a greater connection between employees, and a greater sense of belonging to meaningful outcomes. 

Dan Bruder is the CEO and Co-Founder at Blendification. Dan's commitment to blending work and life to enhance the lives of employees, customers, and communities is highlighted in his TEDx Talk, "The Blendification of Work and Life builds Communities." Prior to Blendification, Dan served in various senior leadership roles in hospitality and resort development along with corporate banking Connect Dan Bruder