Building Belonging

Having a multi-sectoral and interdisciplinary team is great. But if people don’t feel they belong there, you’re missing half the equation.

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While there is no single definition of what a balanced integrated team looks like, there are patterns that strongly indicate that a team is imbalanced: when a team is missing key representation (like people from affected communities and non-technical positions) or when a team includes staff with only a percent of their work allocated to the project and the rest reporting to another department. This can create a sense of isolation and lack of belonging, that makes it difficult to achieve your integration ambition. Not to mention the challenges for consortiums, with staff on secondment/contracted from other agencies.

Belonging is a key driver of motivation, retention, and innovation. So getting this right is key to having a high performing integrated team. But belonging doesn’t “just happen”.

Use these plays to help build a culture of belonging in your integrated team. Creating space for everyone to feel a sense of connection with their teammates and like their voice is heard and valued will help any integrated team perform their best.

Are you a…

  • Consortium Manager wants to build team trust & cohesiveness within the Consortium Management Unit and/or Consortium Steering Committee
  • Integrated Programme Manager wants to ensure key staff feel connected to the common objectives and/or integrated projects

Use this Game Plan to

  1. Identify who’s most likely to feel isolated, and provide ways to build greater connection among your team members.
  2. Ensure staff contracted from other departments or organizations feel connected to the integrated team.

Top Plays for a Building Belonging

My User Manual

My User Manual

  • People : 1-10
  • Prep : 45 min
  • Time : 30 min
  • Level :

A personal user manual is a fun way to share your individual preferences for how you like to collaborate and communicate. It can also be a great tool for getting to know each of your teammates beyond the work stuff.

GamePlan in action

A team's sticky notes from an offsite Restrospective.

A team's sticky notes from an offsite Restrospective.

A team's sticky notes from an offsite Restrospective.

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