A sense of community supports well-being at work

A sense of community means belonging to a work community where there is mutual respect, safety and cooperation. It does not happen by chance, but is built through daily interactions and activities.

Social relatedness as a basic psychological and social need

Social relatedness is at the heart of well-being at work: it gives meaning, motivation and strength to everyday life. According to self-determination theory, people feel well and are motivated to work and cooperate when three basic psychological needs are met:

• Autonomy: the experience of having agency and making meaningful choices for oneself.
• Competence: the experience of knowing and learning.
• Relatedness: feeling connected to others, and accepted as part of a team.

The social environment therefore strengthens what is called intrinsic motivation: the spontaneous desire to take action and contribute because of one's own interests, values and meaning. When you feel part of a team, the desire to participate, share and take responsibility increases.

What is belonging to a work community?

Everyone wants to be seen, heard and valued, not just for their performance but also just as a human being. An atmosphere of appreciation fosters safety, courage and confidence. It creates a space where people dare to be creative, imperfect and together more often.

In the video below (2:16), Maria talks about belonging to a work community and ways to overcome loneliness and help others.

A thriving work community

• Invests in building a sense of community, prevents workplace loneliness, and promotes well-being at work.
• Strengthens both individual and shared experiences of meaning and motivation.
• Creates a safe community where everyone can be themselves, achieve results and share positive moments.

A sense of community is not something extra at work. It is the foundation on which meaningful work and a good life are built. An individual can easily experiences workplace loneliness and exhaustion a sense of community is lacking. It could mean that they are left unsupported and that issues are left unaddressed in the work community.

Roles as part of belonging to a work community – understand how visible and invisible interactions function in the workplace

Belonging to a work community is not just about being part of an organization. It is the feeling of being seen, heard, and valued as oneself. Each of us influences this experience in our own way, and one key part of this process is the role we take on at work.

In working life each of us operates in many roles, both consciously and unconsciously. Roles guide how we position ourselves in relation to others and how others position themselves in relation to us. They shape our ways of being part of the community, engaging in different interactions and experiencing inclusion.

When we learn to recognize our own and others’ roles, we can increase understanding, reduce misunderstandings and loneliness, and strengthen a sense of community.

Social roles – the visible part of the work community

In working life, visible roles such as expert, supervisor, team member or customer service representative are clearly built around work structures and specific tasks. These roles help organize responsibilities and collaboration, but they can also narrow perspectives if clung to too tightly.

When roles are flexible and examined together, a community emerges inwhich different roles complement each other. Diversity is then seen as a strength, not as a threat. Everyone has space to act in their own way and showcase their expertise.

Psychological roles – a hidden layer of interaction

Our roles do not arise only from work structures but also from our own history and experiences. At work, we may unconsciously act in roles familiar from our childhoods: as caretakers, peacemakers, observers, or challengers.

When these psychological roles go unrecognized, they can cause recurring conflicts and misunderstandings. When they are identified and openly discussed, interactions can become more understanding and compassionate.

A sense of community grows when everyone can be visible as themselves and present themselves in an authentic way that goes beyond the workplace roles they usually adopt.

Early life experiences roles – a sense of safety within the community

Functioning in a work community can also evoke deep, bodily feelings in us that may be linked to early experiences that we had as a child.

If we have previously had to cope alone as a child, we may easily feel threatened or may withdraw when the environment changes. If we are used to pleasing others, we may forget our own boundaries.

A safe atmosphere in the work community helps ease these automatic reactions. When trust, respect, and the experience of being heard prevails, our bodies and nervous system can also calm down. This is at the heart of havine a sense of community: a safe community enables growth, learning, and authentic encounters.

Value-based roles – shared meaning and direction

In adulthood, value-based roles strengthen more: the desire to act according to values, to find meaning and to take responsibility for the common good. At work this appears as a willingness to do work that supports shared goals and in which everyone feels their contribution matters.

When a work community identifies and expresses its shared values, it strengthens belonging and trust. Acting in line with values creates meaning, motivation, and commitment. Acting in line with one's values makes visible what is important to everyone together.

Recognizing roles strengthens the sense of belonging

Roles in working life form a multi-layered whole that affects how we act and perceive each other. When we learn to recognize our roles—both visible and invisible—we can increase understanding, build bridges, and strengthen community spirit.

Becoming aware of roles means understanding them and adopting a more flexible way of acting. It helps us meet others more authentically and create a work community in which everyone can feel that: “I belong here, and my role is an important part of the whole.”

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This content is part of the inclusive tools for a caring workplace. Find out more about our community engagement tools here:

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