Why Place, Culture, and Belonging Matter More Than Ever at Work

Work is no longer defined solely by what we do, but increasingly by where and how we do it. As organisations adapt to hybrid models, global teams, and flexible structures, I believe place, culture, and belonging have become central to performance rather than peripheral considerations. When these elements are overlooked, engagement weakens and connection erodes.

Place is not just physical location. It includes the psychological and emotional environment people operate within every day. Whether employees work remotely, in offices, or across borders, they are constantly responding to cues about safety, inclusion, and value. Leaders who understand this are better equipped to create environments where people feel anchored, even when geography is fluid.

Culture plays a defining role in shaping this experience. Culture is not what organisations say they value, but how those values are lived in practice. It shows up in how meetings are run, how decisions are communicated, and how difference is handled. Empathetic leadership ensures that culture is experienced consistently, not just articulated strategically.

Belonging sits at the intersection of place and culture. When people feel they belong, they are more likely to contribute fully, collaborate openly, and remain committed through change. Belonging is built through understanding, listening, and inclusion, not through proximity alone. In distributed teams, this becomes even more important, as informal connection is less automatic.

Listening-Led Leadership is essential in fostering belonging across varied environments. Leaders who listen actively gain insight into how culture is landing for different individuals and teams. This allows them to adjust communication and expectations in ways that maintain cohesion. Employees who feel listened to are more likely to feel included, regardless of where they work.

Neuroscience reinforces why belonging matters so deeply. Human brains are wired to seek connection and stability. When people feel disconnected from place or culture, stress responses increase and performance declines. When belonging is present, people experience greater motivation, resilience, and clarity, which directly supports organisational outcomes.

I have seen organisations focus heavily on structural change without addressing the human experience of that change. Without empathy, shifts in place or working model can leave people feeling untethered and uncertain. Empathy allows leaders to understand how transitions are experienced and to respond in ways that preserve trust and engagement.

Importantly, belonging does not require sameness. Diverse teams thrive when difference is recognised and respected within a shared cultural framework. Empathy enables leaders to hold this balance, ensuring that individuality is valued while collective identity remains strong.

I believe the organisations that succeed in the years ahead will be those that recognise place, culture, and belonging as strategic assets. Empathy is the leadership capability that connects all of them and allow people to feel like they belong and are included. Only then can any of us sustainably perform at our best, wherever we work.

About Mimi Nicklin:
Mimi Nicklin is a globally recognised keynote speaker, bestselling author, and Founder of Empathy Everywhere, working with organisations worldwide through leadership development, training, keynotes, masterclasses, and webinars. Recognised as the #1 Workplace Wellbeing leader, Mimi has reached over four million people globally through her work in empathetic leadership, listening, and Listening-Led Leadership, helping organisations strengthen employee engagement, workplace culture, and performance in complex, AI driven environments. Her work reframes empathy as a critical leadership capability grounded in neuroscience and applied through practical empathy training and organisational development. With a mission to reconnect one million people by 2028, Mimi Nicklin is emerging as one of the defining human leadership voices of this decade. Find out more via www.empathyeverywhere.co or [email protected]