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. If you learn to work through the tension, you can unlock growth and make room for real belonging.

What if the discomfort you're avoiding is actually the doorway to the change you’ve been chasing? Discomfort—those moments of tension, awkward conversations, and tough realizations—can feel like obstacles, but they’re often signs that real growth is happening. If you're navigating change, building a better team, or pushing toward something new, this post invites you to stop avoiding the discomfort and start leaning into it.