Belonging’s Magic Quadrant: Unlocking Workplace Focus and Performance
Link for full Infographic at the end of this article.
The Belonging Magic Quadrant & 4 of 11,000,000 Bits Per Second
Your brain processes 11 million bits of data every second. But only four of those bits drive your deep focus. And those four get hijacked the moment belonging is missing.
If your people don't belong, their ability to focus gets trashed.
Your brain wants belonging, first and foremost, with all the love & accountability that come from the sustained oxytocin and serotonin generated by being in it.
Your brain isn’t thinking, don’t die, that is, until you’re aware you’re at risk of dying! Unbelonging is the most prevalent and primary trigger.
Our brains continually re-factor this in the background - Can I, with my tribe, survive, grow, and continue,… while taking in all of the data from bodies within our physical and social environments, at approximately 11 million bits-a-second? Here’s where belonging comes in. As humans, we don’t survive, grow, or continue on without belonging. We’re wired to belong first, and then, everything else. I mean, really, on the obvious side, we can’t even reproduce alone.
Before getting to the quadrant, here's the working definition of belonging for you to consider.
Real Belonging is...
The state of being, in relationship with each other and self, where...
You feel, own, and care for them, in their successes, dreams, and failures — and…
They feel, own, and care for you in yours — a two-way street.
It's here, where we move from fear of, to fear for each other, and let that push our performance to the next level. We've got each other's backs. And where we land in aspiration with and for each other, instead of despite each other. Feel, Own Care Belonging.
Here's what the quadrants looks like. Where are you? Where's your team?
In the magic quadrant of belonging, your brain and heart get to keep their top-of-mind focus of choice. Like your company shared purpose! The other three quadrants make it impossible to maintain that focus.
If you're the CEO, I know you’ve felt this. In fact, it may have moved you to create your own company.
The Belonging Quadrants
Bottom Left:
We Don’t: “Divided, Disengaged, Distracted. Already planning the exit.”
There's no feel, own, and care, in either direction. So you struggled until you found a new direction/place - where you really belong. Since the savanna, our brains have been this way. It's how we thrive and stay alive, still.
Top of Mind: focused everywhere else. (You here? What's top of mind for you?)
Top Left:
I Don’t: “Half-in, half-out. The work feels hollow.”
They had feel, own, and care for you, but you really didn't for them. It just wasn't right for you. That's okay, we don't belong with everybody. But like everybody, we all have to belong. That feeling, it's telling you to go find or create where and with whom you will belong.
Top of Mind: focused on I'm here, sure it feels good, but it's just not right. Oh, what was I working on? (You here? What's top of mind for you?)
Bottom Right:
They Don’t: “At risk. Questioning your worth - Why am I even here?”
You had the feel, own, and care for them. But it never came back. This one's more like a gut punch. At times, well, it was for me. And it's probably the pinnacle of the negative impact for the #thefitintax.
Top of Mind: I'm at risk. is there something wrong with me? For some reason, I'm never good enough, even if you are, for the tasks at hand. (You here? What's top of mind for you?)
Top Right:
We Do!: “Focused. United. Performing.”
Oh yeah! This is where the magic happens! Nestled in real belonging, our brains and hearts are free to commit those precious 4 bits of focus on the shared purpose of our company tribe. Here, we naturally land in Unite & Fight instead of Fight/Flight. Our neurochemistry is flush with oxytocin and serotonin, the chemicals we need for optimal teaming and focus.
Top of Mind: Whatever you're focused upon, your company shared purpose. (You here? What's top of mind for you?)
What belonging quadrant are you in right now?
As a leader, your most significant lever isn’t another system or incentive. It’s moving your people — and yourself — into the We Do Belonging quadrant of belonging. The great thing, you get to choose that!.
It may take some effort and some vulnerability, but you can reach Belonging’s magic quadrant.
Here's a link to the infographic, Belonging, the Magic Quadrant, and Workplace Brains.