Belonging is more than just a feeling—it’s a critical component of human experience that influences every aspect of our lives. From our mental and physical health to our ability to work collaboratively and find meaning in our daily activities, belonging plays a pivotal role. This article explores the top ten reasons why belonging matters, drawing from diverse research and perspectives, including the profound insights of the Blackfoot Nation, Viktor Frankl’s exploration of meaning, and Brené Brown’s work on vulnerability and authenticity. Whether you are a leader, educator, or community organizer, understanding the power of belonging can help you create environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
- Belonging Fulfills a Core Human Need
- Belonging Fulfills a Core Human Need
Belonging is a fundamental human need that transcends cultures and societies. While Abraham Maslow’s (1943, 1954)well-known Hierarchy of Needs places belonging as a crucial step towards self-actualization, his exposure to the Blackfoot Nation’s way of life revealed a more profound, community-oriented understanding of this concept (Ravilochan, 2021). The Blackfoot people demonstrated that self-actualization—the pinnacle of Maslow’s pyramid—was not an individual pursuit but a communal norm, achieved through cooperation, generosity, and a deep connection to one’s community and environment.
In Blackfoot culture, belonging is intertwined with communal responsibility, where individual well-being is inseparable from the community’s well-being. This perspective challenges the Western emphasis on individualism, highlighting that true belonging involves being part of a network of mutual support and shared purpose.
For any leader, educator, or community organizer, fostering a sense of belonging means creating environments where individuals feel valued and connected and their contributions recognized as part of a larger whole.
- Belonging Enhances Life's Meaning
- Belonging Enhances Life's Meaning
Viktor Frankl (1962) famously argued that the search for meaning is a fundamental human drive. Research by Lambert et al. (2013) found that individuals who experience a strong sense of belonging are more likely to perceive their lives as meaningful. This sense of purpose isn’t just important for personal fulfillment; it drives motivation, engagement, and long-term commitment.
Whether you’re a business leader aiming to inspire your team or an educator wanting to keep students motivated, fostering belonging can significantly enhance the meaning and purpose that people find in their daily lives.
- Belonging Drives Organizational Commitment
- Belonging Drives Organizational Commitment
A strong sense of belonging in the workplace increases employee loyalty and reduces turnover. Employees who feel connected to their organization are more likely to stay, be productive, and contribute to the organization’s success. Joseph (2023) found that belonging fosters emotional connections, which translate into greater motivation and a desire to see the organization thrive, making belonging a critical factor in organizational performance and employee well-being.
By prioritizing belonging, organizations can build a committed workforce that drives long-term success and growth.
- Belonging Boosts Cognitive Functioning
- Belonging Boosts Cognitive Functioning
Feeling secure and accepted in an environment is critical for cognitive engagement and creativity. According to Antonsich (2010), when individuals feel they belong—whether in a workplace, school, or community—they can focus better, think more creatively, and collaborate more effectively. This cognitive boost comes from people not wasting mental energy on managing feelings of exclusion or insecurity. Instead, they can fully engage with their tasks and others, leading to better outcomes across the board.
Fostering a sense of belonging, therefore, is key to unlocking the full intellectual potential of any group, leading to innovative solutions and enhanced performance.
Effective Strategies for Building Resilience
According to the American Psychological Association, resilience is the process of adapting well in the face of adversity, trauma, tragedy, threats, or significant sources of stress. It is a skill that can be nurtured and trained. Learn more.
- Belonging Reduces Stress and Builds Resilience
- Belonging Reduces Stress and Builds Resilience
Stress is inevitable, but how we manage it depends largely on our sense of belonging. Research shows that belonging buffers against stress, providing emotional stability and support during challenging times (Lambert, 2013). When people feel connected to those around them, they are better equipped to handle adversity, bounce back from setbacks, and maintain their well-being.
For leaders and educators, creating environments where people feel they belong can foster resilience and improve overall mental health.
- Belonging Encourages Academic Success
- Belonging Encourages Academic Success
In educational settings, belonging is a powerful driver of student engagement and achievement. Xu and Lastrapes (2021) highlight that students who feel they belong—especially in fields like STEM—are more likely to participate actively in their learning, persist through difficulties, and pursue their academic and career goals. However, research by Pearson, Godwin, and Kirn (2018) emphasizes that the sense of belonging can vary significantly based on demographic factors, particularly in engineering education. Their study found that while many first-year engineering students enter their programs with a strong sense of belonging, underrepresented groups, such as female students, often report lower levels of belonging from the outset. This disparity underscores the importance of intentional efforts by educators and administrators to create inclusive environments that support all students, particularly those from underrepresented groups.
By fostering a strong sense of belonging, institutions can help close participation and achievement gaps and support the success of all students, ensuring that they have the confidence and motivation to succeed in their academic pursuits.
- Belonging Promotes Mental and Physical Health
- Belonging Promotes Mental and Physical Health
The benefits of belonging extend beyond emotional well-being to include physical health as well. Individuals who feel socially connected are less likely to experience anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. They also tend to have better overall health outcomes, including lower rates of chronic illness and longer life expectancy (Lambert, 2013; Jaremka, 2017).
For organizations and communities, promoting belonging isn’t just good for morale—it’s a vital part of supporting the health and well-being of everyone involved.
- Belonging Fosters Inclusive Communities
- Belonging Fosters Inclusive Communities
Belonging is about creating environments where everyone feels valued, included, and empowered to contribute. Antonsich (2010) emphasizes that belonging is not just an individual feeling but a collective experience that shapes the fabric of any community—whether it’s geographical, organizational, or educational. Communities that foster a strong sense of belonging are more cohesive, resilient, and better equipped to tackle social issues, business obstacles, or educational disparities.
When leaders in businesses, schools, and other organizations prioritize belonging, they create inclusive environments where everyone can participate fully and thrive. This inclusive atmosphere enhances collaboration, innovation, and overall well-being, ultimately strengthening the entire community, whatever its context.
- Belonging Enhances Emotional Well-being
- Belonging Enhances Emotional Well-being
As inherently social creatures, our emotional well-being is deeply intertwined with the quality of our relationships. Brené Brown’s research (2021) emphasizes that true belonging requires vulnerability—the courage to be our authentic selves without needing to conform. When we experience this kind of belonging, it satisfies our fundamental need for connection, fostering a positive self-image and a stronger sense of self-worth. This level of belonging acts as a protective barrier against loneliness and isolation, both major contributors to emotional distress (Antonsich, 2010).
For professionals across all fields, creating environments where true belonging is nurtured can lead to significant improvements in emotional well-being, job satisfaction, and overall happiness.
- Belonging Encourages Teamwork and Cooperation
- Belonging Encourages Teamwork and Cooperation
When people feel a strong sense of belonging, they are more likely to work together towards common goals that benefit their community or organization (Antonsich, 2010). This shared sense of purpose fosters teamwork, creativity, and positive change. Whether in a business, school, or community group, belonging can inspire people to come together to solve problems, innovate, and achieve meaningful results.
When leaders prioritize belonging, they empower their teams and communities to collaborate effectively, leading to a positive and lasting impact.
The Critical Importance of Belonging
Belonging is a powerful force that impacts every aspect of our lives—from personal well-being to organizational success and community cohesion. By prioritizing belonging, we can create environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, contribute, and find meaning.
Whether you are a business leader, educator, or community organizer, understanding and fostering belonging is key to unlocking the full potential of the individuals and groups you lead.
Ready to Create a Culture of Belonging in Your Organization?
If you’re looking to foster an environment where everyone feels valued, connected, and motivated to contribute, consider bringing a customized workshop or program on belonging to your team. Together, we can design strategies that enhance individual well-being and drive organizational success. Contact me today to discuss how we can work together to build a stronger, more inclusive community within your organization.
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References
- Antonsich, M. (2010). Searching for belonging: An analytical framework. Geography Compass, 4(6), 644-659.
- Brown, B. (2021). Atlas of the heart: Mapping meaningful connection and the language of human experience. First edition. New York: Random House.
- Frankl, Viktor E. (Viktor Emil), 1905-1997, author. (1962). Man’s search for meaning : an introduction to logotherapy. Boston :Beacon Press,
- Jaremka, L. M., & Sunami, N. (2018). Threats to Belonging Threaten Health: Policy Implications for Improving Physical Well-Being. Policy Insights from the Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 5(1), 90-97. https://doi.org/10.1177/2372732217747005
- Joseph, A. (2023). Why Belonging Matters: An Investigation into the Effects of Belonging on Organizational Commitment, Engagement, and Intention to Stay. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 45(2), 150-167.
- Lambert, N. M., Stillman, T. F., Hicks, J. A., Kamble, S., Baumeister, R. F., & Fincham, F. D. (2013). To Belong Is to Matter: Sense of Belonging Enhances Meaning in Life. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 39(11), 1418-1430.
- Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-96.
- Maslow, A. H. (1954). Motivation and personality. New York: Harper and Row.
- Pearson, N., Godwin, A., & Kirn, A. (2018, October). The effect of diversity on feelings of belongingness for new engineering students. In 2018 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) (pp. 1-7). IEEE.
- Ravilochan, T. (2021, June 18). The Blackfoot Wisdom that Inspired Maslow’s Hierarchy. Resilience. https://www.resilience.org/stories/2021-06-18/the-blackfoot-wisdom-that-inspired-maslows-hierarchy/
- Xu, S., & Lastrapes, W. (2021). The Impact of STEM Sense of Belonging on Career Interest: A Study of Underrepresented Students. Journal of STEM Education, 22(1), 36-46.
