Belonging and Discomfort: The Uncomfortable Truth About Growth in Organizations

By Jayson Krause, Managing Director of Level 52 & Award-Winning Author of The Science Behind Success

We’ve all heard about the power and importance of belonging. 'Belonging' is often painted with a brush of comfort and conformity. But let’s challenge the conventional perspective on this topic. What if I told you that true belonging is not about comfort, but about growth? And… real growth is uncomfortable. If you're seeking to create belonging, you're signing up for creating discomfort.

Belonging, in its most transformative form, isn't about fitting snugly into a pre-existing culture of annual birthday cakes and pseudo-psychological safety. It's about fostering an environment where discomfort is not just tolerated, but actively sought out. It's about creating a space where individuals are encouraged to challenge the status quo, voice their unique ideas, and bring their authentic selves to work, even if it ruffles a few feathers.

This perspective on belonging is far from creating a cozy echo chamber, but about building a dynamic, resilient organization that thrives on diverse perspectives and healthy debate in service of fulfilling a mission. It's about understanding that discomfort is most often the precursor to innovation and growth.

Leaders who embrace this perspective value dissenting voices and encourage constructive conflict as a product of real trust. They see discomfort not as a threat, but as an opportunity for learning and growth. They understand that the path to belonging is paved with challenges and discomfort, and they're not afraid to walk that path and if need be, trailblaze it.

If you're a leader seeking belonging, brace yourself for discomfort. Because real growth is uncomfortable, and true belonging is all about growth. The measure of your success is not a fleeting sense of belonging, but the type of belonging that creates staying power for your company and the people around you.