Understand what safety, belonging, and mattering mean. The need for safety, belonging, and mattering isn’t going anywhere. It’s neurological and primal, so you need to understand what those things look like “in action.” According to Comaford:
• Safety means creating an environment where your people can take risks, stretch, and grow. “Be honest: Is it safe for employees to take risks at your company, or will they face consequences if their efforts fall short?” she asks.
• Belonging means creating an environment where your team feels like a tight-knit tribe. Everyone is equal and rowing in the same direction to reach the organization’s goals. “It’s an admittedly extreme example, but think about gangs—where people will literally kill to stay in the tribe,” Comaford points out. “That’s how powerful this stuff is.”
• Mattering means that each individual contributes in a unique way. Every employee makes a difference, which is appreciated and publicly acknowledged. “Does your company culture work this way, or are individuals acknowledged only when they make mistakes?”
