What if creating belonging in the workplace begins with a laugh—and a promise to learn your name the way you say it? In this episode of I Know I Belong When, Global Head of HR Chris Courneen joins host Christopher Bylone to translate a first‑person story into a leadership practice. From stagecraft to strategy, Chris shows how humor, trust, and authentic leadership unlock voice and performance in an inclusive culture. He reveals how learning every name signals dignity, why ‘I know I belong when…’ gives people language for belonging, and how human‑centered innovation turns people’s experience into measurable outcomes.

You will hear actionable answers to ‘how to create a sense of belonging at work,’ practical moves for building belonging across remote and hybrid teams, and a credible way to marry qualitative narrative with quantitative data—so workplace belonging becomes visible, trackable, and investable. Chris also reframes belonging vs inclusion, positioning belonging as the outcome of IDEA work, not just another pillar, and challenges leaders to evolve: move from anonymous surveys to confidential, trusted signals that enable predictive analytics on engagement, attrition, and psychological safety. If you’ve ever searched synonyms of belonging, another word for belong, or love and belonging needs from Maslow’s hierarchy, this conversation gives you the words, the why, and the what‑now—for creating belonging at work that lasts.

What if feedback felt like care—clear enough to guide, kind enough to grow, and courageous enough to build a sense of belonging at work? In this episode of I Know I Belong When, host Christopher Bylone welcomes Ama Agyapong—the “feedback guru” and “that inclusion lady”—to turn buzzwords into behavior and inclusive culture into daily practice. Through lived experience as an athlete, facilitator, and executive coach, Ama shows how authentic leadership recognizes names, honors stories, and uses feedback as a vehicle for love, accountability, and advancement. Together, they explore belonging vs inclusion, the power of curiosity, and the responsibility leaders carry to land with care—because being “right” is not the same as being effective.

You will hear a practical playbook for creating belonging at work: micro‑habits like a sincere “good morning,” rituals that strengthen trust, and feedback loops that share information during the process—not only at the end. Whether you are building belonging in hybrid settings or belonging in remote teams, this conversation gives you language and structure to elevate people’s experience and drive human‑centered innovation. Rooted in “love & belonging needs,” it is a reminder that workplace belonging is not a destination—it is a practice leaders model, teams feel, and cultures sustain. If you have ever asked, “I know I belong when…?” this episode helps you answer—and scale—the how.

When do we feel workplace belonging? When a leader chooses a tiny, intentional moment—offering presence, saying your name with care, cleaning up a misstep—and let us trust ripple through a team. In this episode of I Know I Belong When, host Christopher Bylone sits down with Chris Rollins, creator of Ripple Effect Leadership, to explore how small acts of authentic leadership build an inclusive culture and a people experience where no one must self‑edit. Chris brings the ‘pebble’ metaphor to life, showing how micro‑actions transfer energy, strengthening psychological safety and clarifying belonging vs. inclusion. You’ll hear lived stories that humanize strategic inclusion and demonstrate how leaders can start building belonging in the workplace across onsite, hybrid, and remote teams.

This conversation gives listeners practical language for belonging—usable phrases, questions, and rituals that help create a sense of belonging at work and across remote teams. Framed as the outcome of IDEA work (inclusion, diversity, equity, accessibility), Chris’s human‑centered innovation centers everyday leadership behaviors: vulnerability, kindness, curiosity, and empathy. Expect first‑person storytelling that equips managers and HR/DEI practitioners to begin creating belonging at work in the first five minutes, not the next five years—so more people can confidently say, ‘I know I belong when…’ and carry those ripples into their next interaction.

What does it truly mean to feel seen, heard, and valued at work? In today’s world of rapid change, remote teams, and evolving expectations, the need for belonging in the workplace has never been more urgent—or more complex. In this episode of “I Know I Belong When…,” inclusive leadership expert Simone Morris invites listeners into a deeply personal and practical conversation about building belonging at work, one authentic interaction at a time. Simone’s journey—from searching for her name on a keychain as a child to leading global teams and mentoring the next generation—offers a powerful lens on what it takes to create an inclusive culture.

Through stories of vulnerability, resilience, and human-centered innovation, Simone shares how leaders at every level can foster workplace belonging, model authentic leadership, and turn strategic inclusion into everyday practice. Listeners will discover that creating belonging at work isn’t just about grand gestures or policies—it’s about the small moments of listening, the courage to show up as your true self, and the willingness to lift others as you climb. Whether you’re an HR leader, DEI practitioner, team manager, or someone seeking language for belonging, this episode delivers actionable insights and inspiration for building a people experience where everyone feels welcomed, appreciated, and empowered.

What does it take to move from intention to action—and truly build belonging in any environment? Season 1 of “I Know I Belong When…” proved that belonging is not just a feeling; it is the outcome of radical inclusion, authentic leadership, and everyday choices that shape an inclusive culture.

Hosted by Christopher Bylone, Principal Strategist at Innovation Unbiased, this special episode revisits the bold voices and transformative stories that defined our first season. Through first-person narratives, you will discover how to create belonging at work, and to build human-centered innovation, and turn strategic inclusion into lived experience.

What does it truly mean to belong at work—and how do leaders move from intention to impact? In this episode of I Know I Belong When, host Christopher Bylone welcomes expert Julie Kratz to explore building belonging beyond buzzwords. Having navigated male-dominated industries and experienced being “the only one in the room,” Julie shares how exclusion and allies shaped her mission to foster cultures of belonging. Her work with Next Pivot Point guides leaders from performative statements to authentic leadership and allyship, making workplace belonging a reality.

Listeners will learn that inclusive culture is more than policy—it’s a daily practice reflected in how we communicate, hold accountability, and measure success. Julie highlights the difference between “belonging vs inclusion,” emphasizing that belonging results from strategic, human-centered innovation. She provides language and frameworks for leaders—especially in remote and hybrid settings—to turn values into action, so everyone can say, “I know I belong when my voice matters.”

This episode invites HR leaders, DEI practitioners, managers, and those interested in creating belonging at work to reflect, reimagine, and recommit. Julie’s insights offer practical steps and mindset shifts to build workplaces where everyone is seen, heard, and valued.