5 Things / The Belonging Buzzword
Listen to this episode:
Belonging is a buzzword these days. Having a sense of belonging is hard. It’s hard in this world, and it’s especially hard at work.
I’ve spent most of my life feeling very different from the people around me. And with losing my parents more than 20 years ago, my biggest wound has always been around abandonment.
I ended my awesome book Inclusive 360 with a chapter on belonging. I described it as the “holy grail,” as aspirational. But the truth is that there have been very few places where I felt that I belonged. For me, there’s wisdom in that.
Belonging takes significant effort. There is no magic formula to establish belonging at work. And anyone can stop feeling like they belong the second they feel excluded. Michelle Silverthorn and I are going to unpack all of this on Wednesday during The Belonging Buzzword: a DEI Double Feature.
Join us for this free LinkedIn Live Wednesday at 1 pm ET where we get to the heart of belonging, what it looks like in an ideal state, and how to get there at work. Register right here.
Here Are This Week's Good Vibes:
Title IX Protections More Inclusive
The Biden administration's new Title IX rules, effective August 1, protect LGBTQ students and overhaul responses to sexual assault. Definitions of sexual harassment have been broadened, and protections have been extended to pregnant, gay, and transgender students, addressing long-standing inequities. I found this part interesting: “It could be a violation of Title IX if schools, for example, refuse to use the pronouns that correspond with a student's gender identity.” This goes into effect on August 1 and could have a significant ripple effect.
Potawatomi Nation Reclaims Ancestral Land
The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation has reclaimed a portion of its ancestral land in Illinois after 175 years, marking the state's first federally recognized tribal land. The decision, announced by the U.S. Department of the Interior, grants sovereignty over portions of Shab-eh-nay Reservation land to the tribe. This historic restitution acknowledges the injustice of the U.S. government illegally auctioning off 1,280 acres of land 175 years ago. Most importantly, it sets a precedent for indigenous land reclamation, empowering tribes to reclaim cultural heritage.
John Lewis Partnership Publishes Interview Questions Online
John Lewis Partnership, the U.K.'s largest employee-owned business with 83,000 “partners”, is publishing interview questions online. This move aims to alleviate job seekers' anxiety and ensure fair assessments. By allowing candidates to prepare responses in advance, JLP aims to attract more diversity and reduce biases. This is great for everyone, especially neurodivergent candidates. JLP's innovative approach aligns with industry trends, fostering a more inclusive and effective recruitment process for candidates of all backgrounds.
United Methodist Church Lifts LGBTQ Bans
The United Methodist Church voted to lift bans on LGBTQ+ clergy and same-sex weddings with a resounding 692 to 51 approval. The decision marks a shift towards inclusivity, especially after many previous contentious debates. The Church established geographic regions (based around continents) and is allowing each to set its own LGBTQ clergy and marriage rules, so theoretically, some regions may still keep these bans. Still, this is a really big deal.
Opting Out for Mother's Day
ButcherBox is one of an increasing number of companies offering its mailing list the ability to opt-out of Mother’s Day promotions. Sarah Bettman wrote about this on LinkedIn and how it’s personally meaningful to her. I agree… Mother’s Day is a tough day for a lot of folks. I’ve personally spent a lot of them grieving and I appreciate the thoughtfulness here.
This Week’s Call to Action:
Speaking of belonging, my friend Rhodes Perry, author of Imagine Belonging, is hosting The Belonging Circle: A Gathering for Inclusive Leaders, Visionaries, and Changemakers on June 6. You can learn more and register here.