NYSERNet TNCON2023 Presentation about instilling a sense of belonging and culture in a hybrid workforce. We discuss the challenges of fitting in when we don't see each other face to face. We also discuss the use of tools such as Slack and Zoom to create spaces for conversation and connections.

1. Creating a Sense of
Belonging: Engaging
the Virtual Workforce

2. Agenda
• Where we are today
• RIT ITS observations
• Where we want to be
• How do we get there?
• Culture
• Tools and Techniques

3. Introduction

4. Belonging
Belonging is the feeling of security and
support when there is a sense of
acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a
member of a certain group. It is when an
individual can bring their authentic self
to work. https://diversity.cornell.edu/belonging/sense-belonging

5. Where we are
today

6. COVID-19
https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2022/02/16/covid-19-pandemic-
continues-to-reshape-work-in-america/

7. Belonging
uncertainty

8. Activity

9. RIT
Information
Technology
Services

10. Background

11. Happy at
Work

12. Job
Satisfaction
Changed

13. What we need

14. Connection is why we're here.
We are hardwired to connect
with others, it's what gives
purpose and meaning to our
lives, and without it there is
suffering.
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

15. Why not just bring people back to the
office?

17. Belonging vs
fitting in

18. How do we
provide a
sense of
belonging?

19. Culture shift

20. What Culture Should Look Like
SHARE VULNERABILITY
BUILD SAFETY ESTABLISH PURPOSE
Coyle, Daniel,The Culture Code

21. Does your
culture support
vulnerability?

22. Tools

23. Zoom

24. Slack

25. In the Room

26. Daily Scrums

27. Hallway
conversations

28. Techniques

29. Intentionality

30. Storytelling

31. Mentoring

32. Wise
interventions

33. Virtuous Cycles

34. Belonging Cues

35. Activity

36. Safe and Connected
This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND.

37. Need to feel
competent
Need to feel
authentic
Need to feel
connected

38. Summary

39. Thank You
Ben.woelk@gmail.com

40. Resources
• Brown, Brene Atlas of the Heart: Mapping
Meaningful Connection and the Language
of Human Experience, 2021
• Cohen, Geoffrey Belonging:The Science
of Creating Connection and Bridging
Divides, 2022
• Coyle, Daniel,The Culture Code:The
Secrets of Highly Successful Groups, 2018
• Gartner for HR, Evolve Culture
& Leadership for the HybridWorkplace,
2022
• Henley, Dede,The SecretTo Creating
A Sense Of Belonging AtWork, Forbes,
March 2022
• Miller,A., Marcus, K. , M. Roberts,
M., Pecora, D., Fitts, D., Miller, G. "Help
Me Lead" Lessons Learned from the ITS
Exodus, unpublished April 2022