Category: Belonging

Diverse Teams

I have been reading “Rebel Ideas” by Matthew Syed. I agree with the main theme of the book – diverse teams are likely to be more successful as there is the benefit of different ideas, insights and perspectives.

I like this photo of stones on a beach.  All the parts are different shapes, sizes and colours but put together, we can see a white seam that runs through them to make a circle.

I think this can be a good way to think about teams. The participants can be very different, yet by working together they produce valuable, beneficial, creative output.

Wallflower

I think this is a powerful although poignant poem. I share it now as thousands of students return to college or begin college. The last couple of years have been largely remote so whilst students are excited to get back to campus in whatever format that might be, I am sure there are many who are also feeling afraid.

In my opinion, fostering a sense of belonging is one of the best things we can do to help anyone fit into a new situation. If we feel like we belong, that we are part of a community, we are strengthened by the support of others. The key point is we all have a part to play in this.

To answer the question in the poem, no-one has the rule book, no-one knows all the right things to say, everyone can only be courageous and do their best to chat and be friendly. 

Don’t hold back and wither, don’t shrink into the corner, reach out, make a connection, be seen.  Belong.

Feature Image via Canva

Are You The Odd One Out?

The red leaf on the tree below feels like it’s the odd one out – it has no idea how beautiful it is – it wishes it was a green leaf.


Meanwhile the green leaves hardly notice that the red leaf is different because they are so busy comparing themselves to the other green leaves.
Just like people, all of the leaves are unique; different shapes and sizes, some have developed in the sun, others have been in the shade, some have the wind at their back, others struggle in the face of challenge – NONE of them has had a perfect life.


Individually, people are as fragile as a single leaf but by being together, they make a most majestic, strong and resilient connection, branching out to each other and putting down strong roots.


This is college. Everyone belongs.