How to Build a Culture of Belonging in Hybrid Environments [with video]

August 13, 2025 | Employee Engagement, General, Intentional Culture, Team Building

By Heather Haas

An insightful panel discussion from CultureCon 2025

At CultureCon 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin, our CEO Heather Haas joined a powerful panel discussion with marketer Kayla Giordano, author Mihae Ahn, MBA and host Julia Blandin Wiener, Ph.D., to delve into how culture champions can create belonging in hybrid environments.

For anyone who works in a hybrid workplace, here are some of our favorite takeaways:

We all have a need to belong.

It’s in our DNA. So fostering a workplace of belonging should be a priority for every organization. There are four important levels of connection:

Connection to the job.
Connection to their manager.
Connection to their team.
Connection to the culture.

In a hybrid environment, these are more important than ever. Simple tactics like “connection before content” and peer-to-peer recognition can have a big impact on employees’ sense of belonging, long-term engagement, and connection to your organization.

Panel discussion highlights

For anyone who works in a hybrid workplace, here are some of our favorite takeaways:

1. Technology can help.

Belonging doesn’t just happen in meetings; it happens in between meetings. If spontaneous interactions are typically a product of proximity, how can you replicate water cooler moments digitally?

2. Invest in leadership development.

What programs can you establish in your organization to help your leaders learn EQ and other tools to create a sense of belonging for your people? (See below!)

3. Create horizontal opportunities vs. top-down.

One fun and powerful way to spread out horizontal connectivity is “CEO for a day” – let other people run the monthly all-hands meeting, etc. What can you do in your organization to mix it up vs. consistent “top down” communication?

4. The future of work is human-centered.

With AI, durable human skills are more important than ever. Purpose is power. A purpose and values-based connection transcends hybrid work arrangements. How can you leverage your culture to maintain a connection across all employees, regardless of whether they are in office or remote?

5. Consistency and reinforcement is key.

Communicate regularly, and focus on purpose and belonging. Connect those communications to the culture and mission. Leverage your organization’s values. How can you tie acknowledgments to broader strategic aims?

Culture is a catalyst for the hybrid squeeze by Mandy Haskett

What every CEO should know about culture by Heather Haas

All Resources