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We talk constantly about belonging in schools. But did we ever promise that belonging would always be comfortable?
Dr. Shelley Jones-Holt returns to Your Morning Boost for a conversation about what belonging actually requires when people bring genuinely different identities, beliefs, experiences, and perspectives into the same organization.
Adam and Shelley explore a critical distinction: “I don’t belong” isn’t necessarily the same as “I’m not getting my way.” Belonging means people should be able to speak honestly, disagree, and still know their dignity and place in the community are protected.
They also discuss the shared responsibility of both the organization and the individual. Leaders must clearly state what belonging looks like, model those expectations, and back their words with consistent action. At the same time, individuals have to examine whether a feeling of exclusion comes from being genuinely marginalized or from encountering ideas, decisions, or perspectives they do not prefer.
Because belonging isn’t something we simply say we value. It is something people should be able to see us doing.
What You’ll Hear:
- Why belonging and comfort are not the same thing
- How disagreement can coexist with a strong sense of belonging
- The difference between exclusion and simply not getting your way
- Why leaders need explicit expectations around dignity, voice, and respect
- How words about belonging must be reinforced through visible action
- Why cultural missteps can become opportunities for learning and repair
Key Takeaways:
- Belonging does not require constant comfort or agreement
- Leaders must make expectations for dignity, voice, and inclusion explicit
- Organizations build trust when their actions consistently match their stated values
- Individuals share responsibility for examining the source of their own discomfort
- Cultural mistakes should often be treated as learning opportunities rather than automatic evidence of exclusion
- Belonging is built through repeated actions, not posters or slogans
Learn more about Dr. Shelley through Dr. Shelley Speaks or connect with her on LinkedIn.
Contact: info@drshelleyspeaks.com
