When we take the time to get to know the people we work with we are often rewarded by the sense of connection that this interaction gives us. It is hard to define what that connection is exactly but research shows that this mutual interest in each other feeds our self-esteem.
Everyone brings something different to the table but there are some basic human needs, including human connection, that we all share in order to thrive:
Feeling heard, valued and respected
Feeling welcome, wanted and appreciated
Feeling connected, accepted and part of something
We often refer to these needs through the following concepts:
Diversity - refers to the characteristics that make people unique.
Inclusion - refers to the behaviours and cultural norms that make people feel welcome.
Belonging - refers to an individual sense of acceptance.
I recently created a community team building experience for the staff at an international school in Lao PDR. Around 110 staff participated and teams of 6 were made up of diverse groupings, encouraging people to work with those that they would not normally have interactions with on a day to day basis.
What makes you unique?
The first session involved the newly formed teams getting to know each other and turning their awareness to how they fit into the place they are currently.
It was fascinating to watch as the groups moved from a little humble and reserved to slightly chaotic and free, in the space of 40 minutes!
“Create a three dimensional map of your town using anything that you can find around you…and then place yourselves in that map and share why you put yourself there!” - got teams buzzing, being creative, working together on something where they could share their different views and thoughts on the place in which they lived and worked.
Think of one approach that would make people feel included.
International schools employ staff from all over the world as well as local staff. In this case there were at least one or more Lao participants in each group. English being the instructional language of the school, the Lao staff operate in this language on a daily basis. So when some of the activities during the team building experience were presented in the Lao language it was an exciting and challenging role reversal for those staff. Suddenly they were responsible for leading the group in understanding the task that had to be completed to move onto the next step of the Quest. Whilst initially this came to some as a shock, it eventually became a role that most were very happy to take on. Many commented on how much more engaged and included they felt in the Quest and from a facilitator standpoint, it was clear that this inclusion was empowering on so many levels.
When do you know you have been accepted?
In the second session; the quest was introduced - “Your quest is to find a true story from Laos that will inspire your community.” By the end of the week, every group had been on a physical, creative and logical journey which led them to uncover a true story which they then had to present in an inspiring way. Each group took it in turns to share their story and watch each others.
The applause after each story presentation was a physical and audible symbol of appreciation, but also an acknowledgement of acceptance. Every group had in a really short space of time, and with many other pressing jobs that needed to be completed outside of the Quest, taken up the mantle and created something together with their group, because they could see the value in strengthening the sense of community in the school. In addition to this larger scale acceptance, each team created a unique bond which they hoped would continue into the future.
“I hope I will take away ‘relationships’ from this experience and that we’ll keep talking or when you see me on campus you’ll say ‘Hi!’ Maybe we’ll eat lunch together in the canteen, donuts!….so I hope that even though this week ends that we still have our Quest team.” (Liz England - VIS Quest Participant)