Creating Belonging: Accelerate True Inclusion in Your Workplace
Imagine a workplace where every team member feels valued, heard, and essential. Creating Belonging – a practical guide book and interactive workshop – is designed to turn that vision into reality for HR leaders and Executives. This high-impact program combines a bestselling guide (5.0★ rated on Amazon ) with a hands-on workshop to help your organization accelerate belonging. By leveraging a unique, research-backed model, you’ll learn how to unlock greater performance and retention through the power of belonging. Ready to transform your team’s culture? Schedule a Free Consultation Call now to bring a Creating Belonging workshop to your organization!
Why Belonging Matters
Creating a sense of belonging isn’t just “nice to have” – it’s mission-critical for organizational success. Studies show that many employees still do not feel truly included despite increased DEI efforts. In fact, 25% of employees feel they don’t belong at work, and 40% feel isolated from their team . This lack of belonging hits the bottom line: when people feel excluded or unsafe, engagement plummets and turnover rises. Conversely, high belonging leads to dramatically better outcomes – a recent workplace study found it boosts job performance by 56% while cutting turnover risk in half. Teams with strong belonging also see 75% fewer sick days, reflecting higher morale and well-being.
For HR and DEI leaders, these numbers confirm what you already know: belonging drives performance. Yet traditional diversity and inclusion programs often fall short of creating that deep sense of community. Why? A common challenge is too much external focus and not enough self-reflection in DEI efforts. Employees may go through training on respecting others, but if they aren’t also encouraged to explore their own identity and biases, the impact stalls. The result is performative “inclusion” that leaves people feeling excluded and fails to make measurable change. To truly move the needle, organizations need a fresh approach that starts from within each individual and then radiates outward to the group.
This is where Creating Belonging comes in. It addresses the core gap in many DEI initiatives – the lack of personal connection – and provides a roadmap to build a culture where everyone feels they belong. No one should be part of the 25% who feel they don’t fit in at work. It’s time to replace token efforts with authentic belonging—and reap the rewards in engagement, innovation, and loyalty.
A New Model for Lasting Inclusion
Creating Belonging introduces a powerful model that reshapes how we approach DEI&B. Instead of starting with policies or “fixing” others, the journey starts with each of us. Creating Belonging guides participants to begin with deep self-awareness and self-acceptance, then quickly pivot to practicing “radical acceptance” of others . By first understanding our own identities, biases, and needs, we create a foundation to genuinely embrace differences in our colleagues. This balance of personal authenticity and acceptance of others is the cornerstone of the Creating Belonging Model .
At the heart of this model is the insight that belonging is a two-way street: when individuals are empowered to be their authentic selves and are committed to including others, a real sense of community emerges. This approach moves beyond surface-level diversity metrics to embed inclusion into everyday behaviors. In the book, Justin provides research-backed insights and relatable stories illustrating how this model works in practice. Readers are prompted with reflective questions and action plans, making it a truly interactive experience—more workbook than textbook. By engaging with these exercises, leaders and teams uncover how they can personally contribute to a culture of belonging.
Crucially, the Creating Belonging Model ties personal growth to organizational change. It’s not a theoretical concept; it’s a practical framework your team can apply immediately. For example, you’ll learn how to:
-
Identify the communities and identities each team member holds, and how these shape their work experience .
-
Reflect on your own level of authenticity at work—do you feel safe being yourself? – and where you can grow in accepting others?
-
Practice concrete behaviors that balance “being yourself” with “fitting in”, so that diversity is celebrated and everyone feels valued.
-
Develop an action plan to improve belonging in at least one team or community you’re part of.
By following this model, organizations create an environment of psychological safety where people can speak up, share ideas, and take risks without fear. The payoff is a sustained culture of inclusion that fuels creativity and collaboration. If your current DEI efforts have stalled, this new approach will reignite them with clarity and purpose. Creating Belonging provides the blueprint to transform abstract values into daily practice.
Interested in how this could work for your team? Schedule a consultation to discuss how the Creating Belonging framework can be tailored to your organization.
The Book and Workshop: A One-Two Punch for Change
Creating Belonging isn’t just a book to read – it’s an experience to share. The book equips you with understanding and tools, while the workshop brings those concepts to life through guided group learning. Together, they offer the ultimate toolkit to build a culture of belonging: learn the concepts, then put them into practice with your team.
About the Book
In the book Creating Belonging: A Practical Guide to Accelerate Belonging in Organizations and Communities, author Justin Reinert lays out a step-by-step guide to create belonging. It’s filled with real-world examples, reflection prompts, and action steps drawn from Justin’s 20+ years of experience in talent development and DEI. Readers will discover how to apply the Creating Belonging Model in various scenarios – from onboarding new hires, to leading diverse teams, to community-building in employee resource groups. The book’s tone is authoritative yet friendly, making complex ideas accessible. Each chapter concludes with an “Accelerate Belonging” plan, so you can immediately translate insight into action. It’s a resource you’ll reference again and again as you champion inclusion in your role. (Many readers even bring these plans to team meetings to spark discussion and commitment.)
Key takeaways from the book include: how to assess your organization’s current belonging gaps, strategies to increase trust and empathy among team members, and techniques to measure the impact of belonging over time. By the final page, you’ll not only understand the importance of belonging – you’ll have a clear roadmap to create it. No wonder readers are calling it “brilliant and illuminating… thought-provoking” and “a great resource… Highly recommended”.
About the Workshop
Reading a book can inspire, but experience cements learning. The Creating Belonging Workshop is a dynamic session (or series of sessions) led personally by Justin Reinert or a certified facilitator from Performance Accelerated Learning. It’s designed to bring the book’s principles to life in your organization’s context and get your team actively involved in the belonging journey.
A Creating Belonging workshop begins with open conversation – we meet teams where they are and guide them to deeper self-awareness and connection.
Customized to your needs: The workshop can be delivered as a concise 90-minute awareness booster or expanded to a half-day or full-day deep dive – depending on your goals and team size . We offer live online or in-person formats for flexibility. Every workshop engagement includes pre- and post-consulting to tailor the content to your unique culture and to follow up on impact, ensuring this isn’t a one-off event but a sustained initiative .
What to expect in the workshop: Participants will engage in interactive exercises and candid discussions guided by our model’s core objectives. We will:
-
Define the communities and identities present in the room, acknowledging the rich tapestry of experiences on your team .
-
Reflect on each person’s experience with authenticity and acceptance at work – uncovering where they feel free and where they feel they “mask” or hold back.
-
Discuss & Learn through stories and examples. (Our facilitators share relatable stories, and we encourage team members to share their own in a safe setting – a highlight many participants “really loved” about this workshop.)
-
Create individual and group action plans for fostering belonging going forward. Each attendee will identify at least one concrete action to implement in their daily work or team interactions.
Throughout the session, we emphasize practical skills like empathetic listening, inclusive language, and constructive feedback – all key behaviors to reinforce belonging long-term. The atmosphere is highly engaging (Justin’s signature opening exercise is “super catchy and engaging,” as one participant noted) and everyone has a voice. Even those who may be skeptical or quiet tend to open up when they see how welcoming and empowering the workshop feels.
By the end, your team will not only understand the principles of creating belonging – they will have practiced them together. They’ll walk away with shared vocabulary, renewed empathy for each other’s experiences, and actionable ideas to make inclusion part of everyday work life. As one attendee put it, “This workshop will have a lasting impact on our team.” It’s a transformative experience that builds momentum for change.
Pro Tip: Many organizations choose to distribute copies of the Creating Belonging book to all workshop participants. This way, everyone leaves with a personal copy of the guide to reinforce what they learned and to drive continued reflection after the workshop. (Volume discounts are available for bulk book orders – just ask during your consultation.)
Ready to bring the workshop to your organization? Schedule a free consultation to design the perfect Creating Belonging workshop experience for your team. We’ll discuss your goals, recommend an agenda, and ensure this program aligns with your DEI strategy. Empowering your people with the gift of belonging is one of the best investments you’ll make this year.
Impact to Your Business
Increased Performance
Teams that feel a strong sense of belonging are more motivated and productive. Belonging has been linked to a 56% increase in job performance on average – meaning your team can accomplish more, with greater creativity and collaboration, when everyone feels included.
Reduced Turnover
Creating belonging directly addresses turnover. Employees who feel valued are far less likely to leave; in fact, a high-belonging environment sees 50% lower turnover risk . You’ll save substantially on recruitment and training costs by keeping your talent. Plus, companies known for inclusive culture attract top candidates—it’s a competitive advantage in hiring.
Greater Innovation
Belonging and psychological safety go hand-in-hand. When people trust that they won’t be punished or ostracized for speaking up, they contribute more ideas and constructive feedback. This diversity of thought leads to better solutions and innovation. Your team will be empowered to tackle challenges from multiple angles without fear.
Praise for Creating Belonging
Real organizations and professionals are already seeing the impact of Creating Belonging. The book has earned rave reviews from readers, and workshop participants are walking away inspired. Here’s what they have to say:
-
“Brilliant and illuminating… an enriching and thought-provoking read.” – 5★ Amazon Review
-
“Incredibly relatable and quite thought-provoking…feels like a resource that can help anyone orient to inclusive community standards.” – 5★ Amazon Review
-
“As a DEI professional, I found this book to be a great resource in helping to advance the concept of belonging… Highly recommended.” – 5★ Amazon Review
-
“If you’re interested in the success of DEIB efforts, this book is for you… I found the Creating Belonging model and action plans very helpful.” – 5★ Amazon Review
-
"The workshop was wonderful and important, and I loved the integration of stories throughout the discussion.” – Workshop Participant feedback
It’s clear that Creating Belonging resonates with those on the front lines of diversity and inclusion. Readers describe it as “refreshingly unique” and praise how it “encourages you to engage with the concepts and expand your own self-awareness”. DEI leaders are already applying the book’s model in their work, calling it “a great quick read workbook” that they “will incorporate in [their] work”. And when teams experience the workshop, the feedback is just as glowing – they highlight the engaging facilitation and the lasting impact on their mindset .
Social proof matters, and Creating Belonging has it in spades. With a growing number of 5-star reviews and testimonials, you can trust that this approach is tested and proven. (Additional case studies and references are available on request if you’d like to hear how other organizations have implemented Creating Belonging.)
About the Author
Justin M. Reinert is the visionary behind Creating Belonging. A seasoned talent development expert, Justin has over 20 years of experience building high-performing, inclusive teams . He has led learning and leadership development programs at global companies as large as HSBC and Oracle, where he spearheaded initiatives to improve engagement and culture. He’s also built award-winning training functions at high-growth firms, proving that even lean organizations can achieve big impacts with the right approach .
As the Founder and Principal of Performance Accelerated Learning, Justin now channels his passion into coaching and consulting with organizations across industries . He holds a Master’s in Educating Adults from DePaul University, and is certified as a Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) and Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) – reflecting deep expertise in how people learn and thrive at work . In 2022, he distilled his insights into the Creating Belonging book to address a critical gap he observed in workplace inclusion efforts .
Justin is not only a practitioner but also a recognized thought leader in the field. He’s been published in every leading talent development journal, including authoring the cover story of TD Magazine (ATD’s flagship publication) in January 2025 . Whether he’s speaking at a conference, coaching an executive, or facilitating a workshop, Justin’s core message is consistent: belonging drives performance. He brings an infectious enthusiasm and empathy to this work, informed by his perspective as an LGBTQ+ business owner (Performance Accelerated Learning is proud to be an NGLCC-certified LGBT Business Enterprise) and as someone who has seen firsthand the transformation that occurs when people truly feel they belong.
When you engage with Justin and the Creating Belonging program, you’re in expert hands. His blend of academic knowledge, corporate experience, and personal passion ensures the content is credible, current, and impactful. Justin has a knack for meeting organizations where they are and guiding them forward on their inclusion journey – with warmth, humor, and unwavering commitment.
(Want to learn more about Justin’s approach before committing? Feel free to schedule a short intro call – he’s happy to answer questions about the model and discuss how it can fit your needs.)
Ready to Create Belonging in Your Organization?
You’ve seen the evidence: belonging is the key to unlocking your team’s potential. Now it’s time to act. Every day that employees feel disengaged or excluded is a day of lost productivity, missed innovation, or even a talented person you might lose to a more inclusive competitor. Don’t let this opportunity slip by to elevate your culture and performance.
Bring Creating Belonging to your organization today. We are currently booking workshops for the upcoming quarter, and spaces are limited (our team works closely with each client, so we take on only a select number of workshops at a time). By acting now, you can secure a slot that works best for your 2025 schedule – and start seeing positive changes in your workplace as soon as possible.
Schedule Your Free Consultation Call Now – Lock in a no-obligation call with us to tailor a plan for your team. We’ll discuss your goals, answer any lingering questions, and ensure that Creating Belonging is the right fit. Even if you’re just exploring ideas, it pays to schedule a chat – you’ll come away with valuable insights on building belonging.
Join the growing movement of organizations that are choosing to put belonging at the heart of their success. Create a workplace where everyone thrives – starting with you and your leadership. The book is written, the workshop is ready – all we need is your team. Let’s work together to create belonging and watch the outcomes accelerate for your people and your business.
Ready to get started? Schedule your consultation or email us at info@pal.team. Your journey to a more inclusive, high-performing workplace begins now!