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I played bocce ball for the first time last week. It’s hosted by the Italian Club of Dallas (Yes, there is one!). It was a blast. I learned a lot about life that night.
We played at a country club. Somehow someone convinced a country club in Texas to convert their clay tennis courts to bocce ball courts. That’s influence!
We were playing with one of the members of the club. At some point, he asked if I was a member. I said no. He said, “We need to change that.”
So often we ask if someone belongs. We exclude them if they don’t. This person asked if I belonged so he could include me if I didn’t.
Did he mean what he said? Maybe. Maybe not. It doesn’t really matter. I felt like I belonged.
We all have a need to feel we belong to something. Do you belong to the club of people who invite people into belonging? No? We need to change that.
A cup of coffee, a quick lunch, an email or note of appreciation, a call to tell someone they’ve been on your mind. It’s not hard. Pick up the phone, walk over to the cube, send the email.
Welcome to the club!
Related articles
- Turn Your Group into a True Team (blogs.hbr.org)
