Unleashing the Power of Belonging in the Workplace

Birgit Dikiciler, Vice President Talent & Organizational Development, MediaMarktSaturn

A vibrant and thriving workplace hinges on the cultivation of belonging, the magic ingredient that transforms employees into a close-knit community. This elusive sense of belonging, going beyond mere diversity or employee satisfaction, encapsulates the feeling of being accepted, appreciated, and integrated into a professional ecosystem. When this feeling permeates the workplace, employees are more inclined to invest their energy, motivation, and loyalty into their work.

The benefits of bolstered belonging

The ripple effects of a strong sense of belonging are evident in both the individual and the organization. Engaged employees find purpose and meaning in their work, knowing that their efforts are recognized and valued. Immersed in a supportive community, employees are more productive, open to collaboration, and keen on exchanging ideas, leading to enhanced problem-solving, creativity and performance.

It’s no surprise that a deep-rooted connection to the organization and colleagues makes employees less likely to be swayed by offers of higher pay or better benefits. The emotional ties to their workplace community act as an anchor, making it difficult to contemplate leaving. Furthermore, a culture that fosters belonging inherently cherishes diversity and inclusivity in every aspect, from age and gender to race, ethnicity, beliefs, and cultures. Employees are empowered to voice their opinions, free from the fear of failure or rejection, which in turn fosters innovation, creativity, and superior business outcomes.

“A deep-rooted connection to the organization and colleagues makes employees less likely to be swayed by offers of higher pay or better benefits.”

Significantly, promoting belonging in the workplace also bolsters employees’ mental health. Isolation or exclusion can breed stress, anxiety and depression, all of which can erode productivity. Addressing these issues is vital in nurturing a sense of belonging.

Our pledge to cultivate belonging

At MediaMarktSaturn, we actively endorse programmes and initiatives that champion belonging and inclusivity, such as employee resource groups. For instance, our ‘Women in Retail’ initiative, established in 2019, has been instrumental in supporting women in their careers within our company. We encourage female colleagues to break new ground and assume greater responsibilities, including leadership roles. Moreover, our female colleagues have launched an international grassroots movement, organizing speaker sessions, producing podcasts with internal role models, and mentoring aspiring store managers.

Additional initiatives include mentoring programmes with pilot projects at our headquarters, unconscious bias training for our top 100 leaders (which will later be rolled out to all our employees), and anti-discrimination campaigns. We have over 130 nationalities at MediaMarktSaturn, and we’ve already made great strides in promoting women to leadership positions. Nevertheless, we’re determined to continue our journey to fully embrace diversity and inclusion.

A thriving company culture is built on shared values and beliefs, which forge a collective identity that extends beyond individual aspirations. Our commitment to these principles is reflected in our performance dialogues as well as ourtraining, recruitment and development programmes. We also prioritize professional growth opportunities, demonstrating our investment in our employees’ success. Our International Leadership Programme, a talent development initiative, supports and nurtures leaders to develop themselves based on our leadership and company principles and be well prepared to perform on our strategy. Following resounding success in its first year, we eagerly anticipate launching our second co

Retail