Belonging

Introduction

We are all part of something bigger. Now it is time to map out what this means for each of us.

Belonging is the feeling that we are an important member of a group or place. As leaders, where we belong is usually where we feel responsibility, and where we want to make our contribution (together with others).

When we are born and grow up, we are socialised into meaningful relations with certain groups (for example family, nation, religion). Sometimes these change during our life. We also find and choose new places to belong (e.g. another country, a specialised field, a political group, a sports team). As we change, we may change our priorities or grow apart from a place that used to mean a lot for us.

So here we want to map out what we are personally part of now - where we feel connected and that we belong.

This connection is not something that others can impose on us. You might feel pressured if you're told you have to act as a global citizen, or that you are responsible for the future of the planet - if this is not something you feel connected to. It is similar to family members giving you obligations, and telling you all these things you have to do for them - if you don't really have a relation or a healthy relation to these family members.

Here, we want to be completely honest - there are no right or wrong answers. Maybe you feel super connected to millennials around the world, maybe you feel you are part of a community of marine biologists if that's your field, or your city, your family, your political affiliation, an organization. There are no right kind or right size of groups/places. What we are aiming for is that you find the fulfilling and meaningful connections that work for you. Personally and professionally, we can get further when we have meaningful and strong connections.

Research shows us that feeling connected and in community, having purpose together with others, increases our well-being and health. Also, connection to a place, to our environment and nature increases well-being. We function better, we are more healthy, effective and creative when we feel connected. In the first part of the program, we shared the self-board and our personal narrative. In the second part, we mapped out our relations. Now, we are sharing what we are part of in the world - and doing that in a format that works for us.

Intention

Get clarity about where we connect with the world around us, and what bigger connections are personally meaningful and important for us.

Desired Outcomes

Increased ability to create and commit to the connections that are most important for us. More wellbeing, feeling supported, meaningful contribution as leaders.

Getting to know each other better in the group so we have more context for supporting each other where it really matters to us.

How:

1	Solo (30min) What are you part of now? Find a way to present this visually that works best for you. For example, you can use images (like in the self-board) or you can draw a map with yourself in the middle and connect it with circles that represent relevant groups/places (similar to relation mapping) For each connection, make a note (e.g. plus or minus): Which ones do you want to prioritize more? Which ones do you want Where do you want to connect l Guiding questions: Who are your people? What are your places? Where and with whom do you spend most time? Where do you feel belonging, responsibility, duty, connection, meaning?
2	Buddy sharing (40min) Share your results with your buddy. Focus on the insights. Make time for questions and challenging. Are you happy with how things are? Is there something you would like to change, and what could that be?
3	Group sharing and debrief. (40min) Everyone shares an important insight. How was this exercise? What did we find out?