Being a member of social networks today has meant having the opportunity to observe not only the areas that surround me as a human being, but to be more sensitive to the reality of many other people around the world. In my particular case, I live surrounded by technology, by people who are totally dedicated to this, who in addition to having chosen a profession to develop themselves, see technology as their great passion.
Psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchy for human needs, known today as "Maslow's pyramid". In this hierarchy or pyramid, needs linked to the work setting and self-improvement are at the highest levels. Therefore, it is considered essential that work environments allow the satisfaction of the lowest level needs in order to achieve better performance of its collaborators.
This led me to think about the needs I perceive on a daily basis in my interviews and also from friends in the IT guild and the common denominator lead me to answers such as "finding peace", "feeling a sense of belonging", "not feeling like just one more". So let's start with the basic concept: What is a sense of belonging? Sense of belonging is defined as the feeling or awareness of being part of one or more groups or communities.
How would we apply it in the workplace? For me it would be to make an employee feel part of the company and feel that his or her work and personal projections are in line with what the company offers. In my interviews I usually ask: What can you do? What are you good at? But for me the most important question is: Where do you want to go? What do you want us to achieve together? Part of a mutual commitment that will help us build long-term relationships.
The challenge for companies today is more linked to the development of a professional in its most comprehensive form, aspects that include both academic aspects and experience as well as personal aspects, life plans, physical and emotional. With this we can talk about the importance of evaluating the commitment that the company has with me as a collaborator, but also the contribution that I can give as a professional, so that the sense of belonging is born within our relationship and evokes us to create together as a team and achieve the goals we set, all in a balance.
What are the aspects that will help you identify if you have created a sense of belonging in your company?
- You feel ease of communication with your leaders and peers.
- They ask for your opinion on projects or strategic moves.
- They promote training in different areas.
They push you with new tasks. - Celebrate your achievements.
- They care about you and your family (plus they know you and take you into account).
- Promote physical and mental health.
We could list many other aspects, but, in conclusion, I believe that finding this balance is a shared responsibility; let's analyze what we are looking for, for which having a clear north will help to choose better employment options or better yet, to strengthen the current employment relationship.
Nowadays, the trend is for the employee to be a modifiable, reassemblable piece that reinvents itself on a daily basis. When someone proudly tells us that he has been working for the same company for 20 years, many think that he never dared to look for something better; but that something better can always be in the same place, especially when you find a company that gives you the opportunity to create that something better; it is almost like a "console.log()", it has been used since the beginning in programming and today it continues to be functional.
We are the most important resource within our company, the engine that makes us move forward, every decision we make has a huge impact on the company, it impacts our colleagues with whom we work daily and if we can see beyond, we will find families that are touched by every task we perform. Impact is a powerful word that is definitely in my pyramid, therefore, I invite you to reflect: If the company you work for makes you feel like one more in the boat, motivates you to grow and celebrates you for the impact you create in others, stay! I assure you that many benefits will come for your personal and professional development. Show that you are a key part of your crew and that you will always give your best effort to make this journey the best ever.
