The absence of a sense of belonging can lead to lower morale, higher attrition, and an uncomfortable, or even toxic, workplace culture. Unfortunately, building belonging isn’t something that happens by chance – it takes a series of intentional, determined actions, and a dedication on the part of all leaders and employees. 

This is the beginning of the message of “Building Belonging,” the first in a 4-module series for an exciting new “toolkit,” designed to provide all staff, faculty, trainees, and students within UAB School of Medicine with the practical resources to build a strong, resilient, healthy environment. The toolkit, entitled “The Common Thread: Find Yourself in Everyone,” deals with essential topics in cultural inclusion, and can be found at uab.edu/theCommonThread.

“Building Belonging” discusses the crucial nature of intentionally fostering inclusivity within the workplace and learning environment. Successfully piloted during Patient Experience Week in April 2018, this module includes an introductory video, and a series of TED Talk-style speeches featuring UAB’s Michael Saag, M.D., covering all components of the module. The toolkit also offers downloadable print resources with discussion questions, citations, and the PowerPoint presentation used by Saag in his speech. All of these resources are available through the toolkit website.

“The Common Thread” adopts a revolutionary new approach to questions of diversity and inclusion, proposing that diversity efforts by themselves are not only insufficient, but often counterproductive. Diversity, which empirical data indicates leads to greater innovation, insight, excellence, and profitability, is only successful when paired with intentional inclusivity initiatives. The toolkit offers practical resources for building this inclusivity.

Future modules, scheduled to be released beginning in June, will deal with the topics of Understanding Bias, Cultivating Self-Awareness, and Resolving Conflict.

“It is essential for UAB’s institutional excellence that we embrace a paradigm where our differences, along with our similarities, are embraced and celebrated,” says Selwyn Vickers, MD, FACS, Dean of UAB School of Medicine and Vice President, UAB Medicine. “In order to move effectively into the future, we must leverage the strength in our diversity. This toolkit offers practical and meaningful tools to realize this vision.”