Small Steps to Belonging

What you need to know

Each of us contributes to cultivating an environment of belonging through our words and actions. Individual small steps toward the same goal can have a meaningful collective impact on the organization.

Small Steps to Belonging guides you through specific actions you can take to foster belonging and opportunity within your own teams and day-to-day life.

How it Works

Each month we will share a small step individuals or groups can take to support belonging in the workplace.

Complete the steps in any order at any time. Earn a point for each step you take; earn all 12 points by Sept. 30, 2025 and receive a coin. Share your progress in the form below.

Steps You Can Take

January: Join an employee resource group.

Employee resource groups are vibrant communities that celebrate both our similarities and differences, fostering belonging and empowering members to make a real difference at Sandia.

ERGs support our mission by promoting a welcoming, multi-faceted and respectful environment that encourages the growth, development and full contributions of all members of the workforce. ERG members enjoy the opportunity to build relationships within Sandia’s local communities, participate in career development and community involvement activities and work with Sandia leadership to identify and address concerns.

Learn more about ERGs.

We highly recommend Getting to Diversity: What Works and What Doesn’t by Frank Dobbin and Alexandra Kalev. This book provides an in-depth analysis of past diversity and inclusion work and how the activities adopted as best practice do not necessarily increase diversity. Their analysis offers insight on how the data rates diversity activities as well as their rationale as to why activities are successful or unsuccessful.

Celebrating the holidays in a way that is sensitive to our diverse cultures, backgrounds and beliefs is essential for fostering a sense of belonging. Here are several ways you can celebrate the holidays while being mindful of these values:

Inclusive Holiday Events: Organize events that celebrate a variety of holidays (e.g., Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Diwali, Lunar New Year) to acknowledge different cultural traditions.
Diverse Decorations: Encourage employees to contribute decorations that reflect their cultural backgrounds, creating a festive environment that represents various traditions.
Cultural Sharing Sessions: Host informal gatherings where employees can share their holiday traditions, stories, and foods, promoting understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
Holiday Potluck: Invite employees to bring dishes that represent their cultural heritage for a potluck meal, fostering a sense of community and sharing.
Mindful Communication: Use inclusive language in holiday greetings and communications, avoiding assumptions about which holidays employees celebrate.
Gift Exchange Alternatives: Consider alternatives to traditional gift exchanges, such as charitable donations in each other’s names or a “Secret Kindness” initiative where employees perform anonymous acts of kindness.
Celebration of Achievements: Use the holiday season as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions of all employees, fostering a sense of belonging and appreciation.
Encourage Personal Celebrations: Allow employees to share their personal holiday celebrations in team meetings or newsletters, creating a space for everyone to express their individuality. Recognize that some people choose not to celebrate holidays; have a dialog with them about their experience.