What the World Needs Now

For the past several months, I have a song in my head. Well, just two lines, actually. Maybe you know them? They go like this “What the world, needs now, is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing, that there’s just too little of…”. Jackie DeShannon sang it in 1965 (you can listen to her singing here).

There was a lot going on in the 1960s (in North America there was the Civil Rights Movement and Woodstock, to name only two), and every time brings its challenges. But something about the time we are in now feels particularly in need of more love.

Belonging

We don’t talk about love in the workplace, but what we can (and do) talk about is belonging; how important it is for people to feel like they are acknowledged, heard, and valued. How critical it is, especially since we spend more time at work than with our friends and family, that we feel connected, and that we can contribute.

Building belonging feels different to me than inclusion (although inclusion is important and is part of building belonging). Belonging feels participatory; it involves everyone, it takes time, and it’s about building community.

This isn’t new, and it’s not rocket science. Maslow talked about connection and belonging as a fundamental human need. We are social creatures; we need each other.

So What?

For me, the questions are: Why aren’t we building belonging in companies? Why aren’t we building community at work?

Some of us are, of course (I’ve been working with clients for 21 years, helping to create healthy workplace communities). But like the song says, we need more….

We now have Chief People Officers, and more recently Chief Happiness Officers – and I can’t think of anything more fundamental to happiness than feeling connected and feeling like we belong.

Now what?

Maybe it’s a conversation you’ve already been having. Maybe this is something new. Regardless, there is always more to learn.

I believe the time has come to really put our people first and remember what it means to be human.

The world needs it, and so do your people…

PS – I’m hosting a Roundtable Discussion on Building Belonging on May 20th at 12:30ET. It’s an opportunity to share ideas, listen, and be inspired.

You can register here.

Bring your wisdom, and your openness. And let’s see if we can infuse a little more love into the workplace. One connection at a time.

PPS – If you can’t make it, but you’re intrigued, here are a few ways you can “dip a toe in”:

1. Join my weekly Belonging Bulletin newsletter
2. Sign up for my occasional Build Up email where I share resources, meant to help build capacity around belonging
3. Book a complementary call with me, and let’s chat about what your organization is up to, and where you’d like to go.