How Great Leaders Build Workplace Culture Through Gathering and Belonging

The overlooked skill that helps Coordinators, Managers, and emerging leaders build trust, inclusion, and stronger workplace culture.

Gathering as a community makes me feel deeply human in the best way.

Now that I've switched professions, I'm gathering with new faces and new ideas. Exciting? Yes. But also a little lonely at times. Starting a new job often holds this paradox: excitement and loneliness existing side by side.

So, I'm pausing to consider the impact of gathering at work. Who is influencing the energy around the conference table or in the virtual meeting room? Who is deciding the after-work hangout spot?

These moments may seem small, but they play a significant role in shaping workplace culture. They influence who feels included, who feels left out, and ultimately, how much employees feel they belong.

This is an internal system that leaders need to keep a pulse on to encourage inclusivity and belonging. Workplace culture has a lot to do with how employees interact with one another. There are no SMART goals or strategic plans that can help you truly see your people. Leaders need to understand their teams, listen for the gossip, and check in on a human level to understand what emotions are brewing between meetings.

This is where the leadership skill of gathering comes into play—and it's something you can practice now as a Coordinator and especially as a Middle Manager. Leadership development isn't just about managing projects; it's about learning how to bring people together in ways that foster trust, collaboration, and employee engagement.

How would you like to see a meeting facilitated? What gestures made you feel invited—or excluded—as a new employee? Take note now because, as you gain responsibilities, you may forget the significance those interactions once held. As you gain the authority to influence systems, you can directly shape workplace culture and create a stronger sense of belonging.

When we gather in the workplace, power, belonging, gatekeeping, and the ability to delegate all have a seat at the table. These dynamics become workplace norms and influence the confidence each employee carries back to their desk. How empowered did you feel after your last team meeting? Did that feeling translate into the quality of work you produced the next day?

I know it played a significant role for me during my time as a nonprofit Coordinator.

I've seen leaders rush through meetings simply to get them over with. Meetings weren't the most important part of their day—they just wanted to move on to the next thing. Yet I remember preparing for meetings, excited to share ideas and collaborate with others. Then came the disappointment. They didn't want to hear my voice at all, especially when I was new. The roles had already been established, and I wasn't supposed to disrupt them.

Those gatherings could have been an email.

So your job is to practice your skills as a host now. When you experience that inner knowing that a well-facilitated meeting could have transformed a project—or the entire atmosphere of the office—listen to yourself. You're not wrong.

Right now, you have more influence than you realize. And guess what? Your peers do too. This is your opportunity to get creative, strengthen team culture, and uplift the people around you.

Practice can look like hosting a movie night with your community or planning a letter-writing party to contact your senator. These are opportunities to find your voice and learn how you like to organize a group of people. As your confidence grows, ask your supervisor if you can facilitate the next team meeting. Try something new. Shake off the stale, predictable patterns and ask different questions.

My go-to meeting norm is "Step Up, Step Back." Simply put, if you're someone who doesn't usually speak during meetings, step up. If you're someone who usually speaks first, step back and go last. The seat-squirming is actually kind of fun to watch.

What norm would you like to add to your team meetings?

Learning how to gather a group teaches you how to speak in front of others, use your values to create an equitable space, and spark new motivation within your team. These are foundational skills for inclusive leadership and long-term career growth.

If you're interested in gaining more tools, I'd love to hear from you.

I also recommend reading The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker. She put words to what I had been wondering all along.