28/01/2026
A sense of belonging at work is not built in boardrooms.
It’s built in hallways.
It shows up in who gets interrupted — and who is allowed to finish a sentence.
In who is greeted by name — and who is only acknowledged by role.
In whether feedback is given with care or with ego.
Most organisations chase belonging through policies, programs, and posters.
But people don’t feel safe because a document says so.
They feel safe because today they weren’t shamed, dismissed, or ignored.
Engagement doesn’t collapse suddenly.
It erodes quietly.
One meeting where your idea is taken but your name is not.
One joke you’re expected to laugh at to survive.
One message left on read — again.
These are small moments.
But culture is just the accumulation of small moments repeated.
People don’t leave because of workload alone.
They leave because being present costs them dignity.
Belonging is not a “nice-to-have”.
It’s the emotional infrastructure of performance.
And it’s built — or broken — every single day.