A sense of belonging is such a powerful force that the pioneering social psychologist Abraham Maslow included it in his famous Hierarchy of Needs. In order to thrive, people need to feel a sense of belonging in their lives— and that holds true for their work lives, too. They want to feel that they fit in, are valued, and share a common purpose and connection with their colleagues. In the workplace, a sense of belonging creates community, encourages better collaboration, drives employee retention, and boosts productivity. In short, it produces great business results.
