Seeking belonging at work, and when it’s time to move on: VIDEO SERIES

Everyone hopes to work for an organization that fulfills and inspires them. But increasingly, the concept of belonging within a workspace is taking precedence over other more tangible incentives for employees across the country. A central and undeniable component of the human experience, we thrive on acceptance and community and crumble in instances of exclusion. Those hurt feelings when you’re the last one picked for a team may register in the brain just like a scraped knee or a kicked shin, according to new scientific research that finds that the brain responds to social rejection in the same way it responds to physical pain. And as important as belonging is on an individual scale, recent research from BetterUp proves that belonging is good for business, too. Study findings show that workplace belonging leads to a 56% increase in job performance, a 50% reduction in turnover risk, and a 75% decrease in employee sick days. 

Following the concept of belonging for years, Great Place To Work describes diversity as being invited to the party, inclusion as being asked to dance and belonging as dancing like nobody’s watching, because that’s how free you feel to be yourself. Their research reveals that when employees experience belonging in the workplace they are:

• 3 times more likely to feel people look forward to coming to work
• 9 times more likely to believe people are treated fairly regardless of their race
• 5 times more likely to want to stay at their company a long time

To dive deeper into the importance of organizational inclusion, MBAchic is exploring the themes surrounding workplace belonging with two esteemed DEI professionals, Dawn Christian and Dr. Tina Opie. 

As a DEI expert, CEO and Founder of Belong by Dawn Christian, Dawn Christian helps companies redefine leadership at the intersections of personal values, accountability and community. 

An award-winning researcher and Associate Professor of Management at Babson College, Dr. Opie advises small and large firms as a consultant. As the creator of the Shared Sisterhood movement, she helps organizations work towards gender and racial equality. 

Editor’s Note: These important conversations have taken center-stage and in 2025, MBAchic remains committed to ensuring our members and broader community are able to thrive at work and beyond — while enabling their teams to do so, as well.

In part three of MBAchic’s three part workplace belonging series, MBAchic focuses on tools professionals can use to feel more connected to their workplace if they are experiencing a lack of belonging. 

“I think the tool in my toolbox is to know yourself and know that you deserve to belong in the spaces that you are qualified to be in,” says Dawn. 

“Those qualifications come in different packages. Transferable skill sets come in the way that you show up, the way you inspire others. Just know that the space that you’re in right now is one of the spaces that you will be in and there are lessons in that setting that you’re in that you can then take as a lived experience as either a litmus test for what you no longer need but know that you as a human do belong. And there are spaces that are more suited for you. When you’re ready to make that move, you are in command of being able to make that move.”

Another option for those who cannot make career moves but strive for a greater sense of belonging is to seek it within other areas of life to foster a greater sense of self. 

“Something that was very helpful for me was recognizing that work is not necessarily designed always to provide that sense of belonging,” explains Dr. Opie. “I know that sounds horrible, but I have different domains that provide different things for me. In a best case scenario, optimally I do have a strong sense of belonging at every workplace, but there have been some instances where that’s not the case, which then made it more important that I have deep roots at my church, that I really have close relationships with my girlfriends and with my husband. 

The other thing Dr. Opie suggests? Find other teams or divisions within your organization where you have a deeper sense of belonging. 

“Can you identify some people, some team members where you have a more authentic connection? We talk about that in Shared Sisterhood. You might be thinking about this overall sense of belonging, but can you focus on just creating deeper authentic connections and interpersonal relationships with certain people? Maybe you don’t have a strong sense of belonging with the organization, but you have these interpersonal connections that are very meaningful, that can help you stomach the organization as you work through to that stronger sense of belonging in the organization.”

Part I of Workplace Belonging: click here
Part II of Workplace Belonging: click here

Photo from Christina @ WoC in Tech Chat