“It’s amazing how little difference there can be between high school dynamics and workplace dynamics,” she says. “And while leaders can’t (and shouldn’t) interfere with friendships between employees, they can set an example of inclusion. They can have frank discussions on the hurtfulness of making someone feel exiled. They can hold fun workplace events and celebrations to strengthen bonds between all coworkers.

“The point is, it’s worth making an effort to help everyone feel they belong,” she adds. “Generally leaders do set the tone, so when you focus on belonging, everyone will.”

• There are obvious and visible signs of hierarchy. At some companies there’s a stark division—maybe even a chasm—between, say, the executive suite and the hourly workers. The white-collar guys are on a higher floor with nicer furniture, while the blue-collar guys are lucky if the bathroom is maintained. To many people this may seem like the natural order of things—but Comaford says this attitude is precisely the problem.

“Is it really a good idea for the physical workplace to say, ‘We’re in the gated community while you’re in the trailer park’?” asks Comaford. “Leaders may not think of it that way but, believe me, those under them do. In my work I see a lot of tension between white-collar workers and union workers—there’s this pervasive attitude that because the union guys don’t have the same level of education they can’t be part of the tribe.”

(Comaford notes that when her company launches innovation initiatives with clients, she finds it’s the union employees on the manufacturing line who often have the best ideas for streamlining production and boosting quality. It’s just that no one has ever looped them in on initiatives before—and therefore they don’t feel like part of the tribe!)

“I know, I know: This is a huge, messy, sensitive topic,” she adds. “But what belonging really means is everyone is equal and marching forward together. We really need to do all we can to work toward this goal, and getting rid of some of the symbols of divisiveness would be a good start.”

• Entrenched silos lead to information withholding and turf wars. Of course, departments are, by definition, different from each other. Still, they needn’t be alienated from each other. Comaford says it’s possible for departments to be “different” in a healthy way—IT is a band of cool pirates, while salespeople are wild and crazy cowboys and cowgirls out there on the range—while still marching forward together.

“It’s okay for groups to have their own identity, yet they must still be able to link arms and help each other toward that end goal,” she adds. “That’s the beauty of helping get people out of their Critter State—when they have that reassuring sense that they belong to the company overall, they don’t have to close ranks and play power games. They can share and collaborate because now it’s safe to do so—we’re all in this together.”

• There is no path for personal development or advancement. True belonging is knowing you’re not just a cog in the machine. It’s knowing employers care about your future and want you to live up to your potential. It’s knowing “I might just be a stock clerk right now but I could be a division manager one day—and the company is willing to help me get there.” That’s why Comaford encourages her clients to implement Individual Development Plans for every employee at every level. 

“When people see their IDP, they think, Okay, the company’s purpose is this, my part is this, and we’re all going into this glorious future together,” she explains. “It tells them, ‘You’re safe here; we’re planning on you being here for a long time. You belong. We bothered to lay out this plan just for you, and you clearly know what you need to do to grow here. You’re part of the tribe, and we’re putting energy into figuring out how you can be part of the tribe in a bigger way.’”

          Making employees feel that strong sense of belonging can send performance into hyperdrive, says Comaford.
“When people feel they truly belong, they will open up their minds and do everything in their power to make sure the tribe is successful,” she says. “They’ll come to work jazzed and engaged and 100 percent on.

          “You absolutely cannot inspire this kind of presence, this deep involvement, in employees with coercion or bribery or even logic,” she adds. “It happens on a primal, subterranean level, and when it does, the transformation is amazing to witness.”

 

Exceptional companies make a difference for the world. Christine Comaford Associates suggest all their clients develop a leadership code of conduct like this one: 

 

• We treat all employees fairly, respectfully, and equally. We strive to avoid preferential treatment, reward on merit, and hold everyone (including ourselves) accountable to the same set of standards. Everyone gets to speak up. We treat others with the respect we expect to be afforded us.

• We deal with issues directly with the person in question. No complaining about others behind their back, passive aggressive behavior, or backstabbing of any type will be accepted or tolerated. We are bigger than this.

• We value the privilege to serve on the leadership team. Monthly management meetings must be a priority, along with weekly leadership meetings and huddles. Coming prepared is a must. Missing more than two leadership meetings a year is automatic cause for removal from the leadership team.

• We debate in the room, execute out of the room. We are accountable to each other for timely and quality results. Once we debate and decide, there is no more debate. We are all on the same team, giving the same message to our teams, focusing on relentless execution and the victory that comes from it.

• We are powerful creators. There are no victims, rescuers, or persecutors on our team. We are outcome creators, insight creators, action creators.

• We promise only if we have the authority and ability to execute. Our word is our bond. We commit to anything we can deliver upon to clients or employees, but not until we get needed approval or resources lined up first. We under-promise and over-deliver.

• We are the model of accountability and leadership. Everyone emulates our actions. We provide the example of accountability and leadership that everyone can follow to success. If our team may not act a certain way, we will not either.