Reflection Point – The connection we need

Last week I attended a gathering of coaches in Melbourne –some I have known for as long as 18 years! It was a fantastic two days of sharing, learning and creating deeper connections and newer connections.  As you can imagine, there was a powerful energy and presence in the room with amazing colleagues from across Australia – a rich diversity of specialisations, strengths and approaches, age and backgrounds.

I reflected on my trip home of what had made it so special.  Being in business can be serious work at times, and the two days were energizing and fun.  Listening to other coach stories which were different but also similar had a lovely familiarity.  Learning from others’ journeys, training and tools was refreshing.  But most of all, feeling a sense of belonging to this group of long-term colleagues and good friends was powerful, of shared stories and jokes across many years, of safety and trust in the room and of being able to be authentic – my true self, seen, heard, understood, valued.

It was a powerful reminder of prioritising time with peers, colleagues, friends and time for my own personal and professional development.  Of community.  Of how working in your own business or as a senior leader in any business can be lonely, at times – I hear this often from my senior executive clients. And how refreshing and joyful it was being able to share and acknowledge the ups (and the downs!)  with others that truly understood.  Not competitive, just support (and challenge where it was invited) and belonging.

In my systemic leadership training some years ago, I learned that one of the core systemic principles that support healthy teams and organisations is that of belonging; where everyone has a right to belong to the system (or systems) they are part of.

We all have multiple systems in our lives that we are part of, and belonging can be part of any or all of them – friend groups, work groups (formal and informal) family groups, community groups. Prioritising how we support others in these groups to truly belong can be powerful. Where members are acknowledged and integrated, where leaders consciously include all members (and not exclude) where contributions are recognised and rewarded, where diversity of thinking is welcomed.

As you end your week, take a few minutes to consider the following reflection questions.

Question 2

As a leader, how can you create greater belonging in your organisational groups?

Question 3

What can you commit to in the next six months to support your own learning and belonging as a professional?