Creating Belonging in Leadership: Boost Engagement & Well-Being with Dr. Beth Kaplan

Belonging in the Workplace and Leadership

In this episode, Beth and I dive into the crucial role of belonging in the workplace and its direct impact on employee engagement, collaboration, and retention. When employees don’t feel a sense of belonging, they’re more likely to experience stress, anxiety, self-doubt, and even physical health issues.

We discuss how leaders play a pivotal role in fostering this sense of connection, yet many aren’t equipped with the right training or skills to do it effectively. Beth highlights that leaders must first understand their own sense of safety and belonging, as this deeply influences their leadership style and personal well-being. We also touch on the reality of leadership burnout—a growing issue that can lead to high turnover and organizational disruption when left unaddressed.

Addressing Leadership Struggles and Burnout

Leadership struggles don’t just affect leaders—they trickle down and impact productivity, morale, and workplace culture. Beth and I discuss the misuse of resilience as a blanket solution when, in reality, organizations need to tackle the root causes of burnout rather than expecting employees to simply "push through."

Instead of a "do more with less" mentality, organizations should focus on removing obstacles, supporting well-being, and creating environments where people can actually thrive. We also touch on the dangers of instant gratification in workplace culture and how companies need to prioritize long-term growth, creativity, and sustainable success.

Investing in Employees for Nurturing Work Environments

A strong workplace culture starts with leaders who embody and uphold an organization’s mission, vision, and values. Beth and I emphasize that leaders must act as performance coaches—not just managing people but truly supporting their mental health and well-being.

Surface-level efforts aren’t enough. Employees can see through performative culture initiatives. To build a genuinely nurturing environment, leaders must be intentional about investing in their teams—because when employees feel valued and supported, it translates to better customer experiences and long-term organizational success.

Leadership, Stress, and a Philosophy of Care

We round out the conversation by reflecting on stress in leadership and how critical it is to remove unnecessary interference that holds teams back. Beth underscores the need for leaders to listen, learn, and adapt, rather than relying on outdated policies and rigid structures.

I share a story from my experience in healthcare leadership, where we implemented a philosophy of care—a shift that was met with overwhelming support from the team. It reinforced a core truth: when leaders prioritize human-centered policies and well-being, organizations don’t just function better—they flourish.

Beth wraps up by emphasizing a key takeaway: you are not alone in your leadership struggles. There is always support, and together, we can create healthier, more effective workplaces.

 

Website:  https://drbethkaplan.com/

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-kaplan/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/drbethkaplan/

X:  https://x.com/drbethkaplan

Book:  https://amzn.to/4hNBTjN