How do positivity and belonging intersect and influence each other? originally appeared on Quora: the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
Answer by Brad Deutser, Deutser CEO, Creative Strategist, Author of Belonging Rules, on Quora:
Positivity expands our thought processes, ideas, beliefs, and actions. The optimism and mindfulness that characterize positivity encourage us to problem solve and to invite more diverse input, naturally leading us to become more inclusive. Further, positivity expands our capacity to handle adverse events and remain self-confident in the wake of negative experiences giving us an emotional agility to believe in ourselves, others, and in the future.
Feeling like you are a part of a group or community sparks positive emotions, making it easier to be your true self. The need to belong is powerful and fundamental to how we structure our lives. If it wasn’t, we’d lead very solitary existences, coming together only when necessary. But instead, we form families, communities, and governments. Belonging widens the foundation upon which individuals can be vulnerable, authentically themselves, and forge deep connections. Thus, encouraging greater belonging enhances positivity and reduces feelings of isolation in a time when 1 in 2 adults are measurably lonely.
In a post-pandemic world, we are struggling to come back together, and having strong social ties helps us deal with stress and other challenges. Exuding positive thought and actions leads to better outcomes and is one of the most vital connectors of people, companies, and relationships. When we know we have support and aren’t facing problems alone, we’re more resilient. This can make tough times easier to handle, reducing their impact on our health.
Field experiments, such as those conducted in urban, bustling Starbucks locations, have highlighted the profound impact of belonging in day-to-day interactions. Engaging in a genuine social exchange with a barista, rather than a mere transactional interaction, enhances positive emotions. In this study, the researchers found that social connection leads to more positive emotions, and this relationship is explained by experiencing greater belonging. The results are powerful, supporting the understanding that even brief social connections can significantly influence our sense of belonging and well-being.
Gallup research has found that close work friendships boost employee satisfaction by 50% and people who have a ‘best friend at work are 7x more likely to engage fully in their work.’ In a recent Deutser white paper, researchers found that greater belonging is associated with beneficial employee outcomes including reduced burnout, greater optimism about work, increased commitment to the organization, and favorable perceptions that the organization is headed in the right direction. There’s a clear and marked relationship between belonging and positivity, and the takeaway is our companies and society need more of both.
If you are finding it hard to be positive, if you feel disconnected from your sense of self, it may be time to look outward instead of inward. It may be time to broaden your definition and understanding about positivity – our work defines it to include inspiration, being mindful, happy, optimistic, and grateful. And, it may be time to start thinking about giving back, about reaching out. Your brain may be telling you no, I don’t want to leave the comfort of my house or to stop scrolling on social media or running from one to-do list item to the next. We have to disrupt those patterns. Instead, it serves us to find opportunities to intentionally be in community with others – whether it’s a brief moment at your local coffee shop or calling a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while. These investments in ourselves are just as vital as movement, nutrition, and sleep. And, they help to reinforce the unbreakable bond between positivity and belonging.
This question originally appeared on Quora – the place to gain and share knowledge, empowering people to learn from others and better understand the world.
