Navigating Tensions: The Hidden Work of Belonging
Belonging isn’t easy. If it were, every workplace would already be thriving. Instead, most organizations find themselves pulled between what can feel like opposites: autonomy versus connection, stability versus change, competition versus cooperation. These aren’t signs of dysfunction; they’re the natural tensions of being human together at work.
The challenge is that many people mistake tension for trouble. When things feel uncomfortable, it’s easy to assume something is wrong. But discomfort is not the same as harm. In fact, discomfort often signals that we’re standing at the edge of growth. Just like muscles build strength by pushing against resistance, inclusive teams strengthen when they lean into the pull of differences with intention.
So what do these tensions look like in practice? Picture a leader asking: Do I give my employees more freedom, or step in with tighter guidance? Or a project team deciding: Do we stick with what’s worked, or embrace new ways of doing things? These are rarely either/or choices. Both sides carry value. The work lies in navigating between them.
In our Breaking Through the Barriers to Belonging class, we call this “naming the tension, not numbing it”. When leaders and teams can pause and say out loud, “We’re pulled between stability and change” or “We’re balancing autonomy and connection,” the challenge becomes clear and depersonalized. It’s not about individual failure—it’s simply the reality of working together.
But naming the tension is only the first step. The next is owning our defaults. Each of us tends to lean one way more than the other. Some naturally prize autonomy, while others prioritize connection. Recognizing those tendencies helps us become more self-aware—and less likely to assume bad intent when someone leans in a different direction.
From there, the work is to slow down the moment without slowing down the mission. That means creating just enough pause to reflect and adjust, without losing sight of the bigger goals. This shift from control to curiosity not only defuses conflict but also surfaces insights that would otherwise be missed.
Navigating tension in this way doesn’t just reduce friction—it builds trust. When people see that differences are not threats but resources, they begin to experience what we call somebodiness: the dignity of being seen, valued and needed. That’s when teams move beyond surface-level inclusion to genuine belonging.
The invitation is simple but powerful: don’t try to erase tension. Learn to work with it. Because when we stay in the flux long enough, we don’t just find compromise—we discover new ways forward. Ways that honor differences, unlock growth and make room for real belonging.
About Breaking Through the Barriers to Belonging
Belonging at work is hard—and one reason is the everyday tensions that pull us in different directions. Do I focus on myself or my team? Do we stick with what’s safe or try something new? These push-and-pull moments aren’t problems to erase. They’re part of being human, and they can either hold a team back or help it grow.
Breaking Through the Barriers to Belonging is a hands-on class that helps leaders and teams recognize these tensions, talk about them and move forward with confidence. Together, we’ll name the barriers that get in the way, practice simple steps to build trust and discover how navigating tension leads to stronger connection.
Ready to bring this learning to your team? Book the class today.
Also in Our Learning Menu
Looking for another way to grow your team’s skills? Alongside Breaking Through the Barriers to Belonging, our Learning & Development menu offers experiences that help leaders and teams build inclusion in real, practical ways.
If growing a more inclusive culture is your focus, here are more belonging-focused classes to give leaders and employees the tools to turn good intentions into real action:
Introduction to Inclusion: Start the conversation, bridge the gap between big goals and daily practice and help every team member shine.
Everyday Somebody: Leading with Inclusion: Learn habits and strategies that make inclusion a consistent part of leadership.
Navigating the Emotions of Inclusion: Build emotional intelligence to manage conflict, reduce stress and strengthen team connection.