As major corporations like McDonald’s, Walmart, Amazon, Meta, and Ford announce changes to their DEI programs, a fresh perspective on workplace culture is emerging. Dan J. Berger, founder of Social Tables and author of “The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging,” suggests these shifts could present an opportunity to strengthen something equally vital: genuine workplace belonging.
Success Through Connection: The Social Tables Story
Berger, whose event design software company was acquired by Cvent for $100 million in 2018, has firsthand experience with creating strong workplace connections. At Social Tables, the culture of belonging was so successful that it led to four marriages among its 100 employees. Perhaps even more telling, five-plus years after the company’s acquisition, former team members continue to follow each other to new opportunities.
Beyond Metrics: The Organic Nature of Belonging
“While DEI brings mandates and metrics, belonging is an organic process,” explains Berger. This distinction is crucial. Rather than replacing DEI initiatives, belonging programs complement them by fostering natural connections that support inclusive environments where all employees can thrive.
The Five Pillars of Workplace Belonging
Drawing from his experiences detailed in “The Quest,” Berger outlines several key pillars for cultivating workplace belonging:
- Active encouragement of workplace friendships, which naturally enhances employee retention
- Design of collective experiences that accommodate diverse personalities and comfort levels
- Strategic use of retreats and offsites, particularly for smaller groups where deeper connections can form
- Creation of environments that facilitate “collisions” – Berger’s term for meaningful casual encounters
- Ensuring senior leadership remains accessible to all employees
Leadership Through Experience
Berger’s perspective comes from a place of extensive experience. As an Israeli-American entrepreneur and community builder, he has consistently focused on fostering connection throughout his career. Beyond his success with Social Tables, he continues this mission through Assemble Hospitality Group, where he’s reimagining corporate retreats to strengthen team dynamics.
The Power of Authentic Connection
The value of this approach lies in its authenticity. While traditional DEI programs provide important structural frameworks, belonging initiatives create the emotional connections that make those frameworks meaningful and sustainable. When employees feel genuinely connected to their colleagues and workplace, inclusion becomes a natural outcome rather than an enforced directive.
Looking Forward: A Balanced Approach
In today’s evolving corporate landscape, perhaps the most powerful path forward is one that combines targeted DEI initiatives with robust belonging programs. As companies navigate these changes, Berger’s insights offer a promising direction for maintaining and strengthening workplace inclusion through genuine human connection.
Community Building Beyond the Workplace
This perspective is particularly relevant given Berger’s current work. Beyond his corporate endeavors, he demonstrates his commitment to community building through initiatives like the Idaho Israel Alliance, which he founded to combat antisemitism following the October 7 attacks in Israel. His involvement in organizations like YPO and Tiger 21 further illustrates his dedication to creating meaningful connections across different contexts.
The Bottom Line
The message is clear: while DEI programs may be changing, the opportunity to create more inclusive workplaces remains – it just might come through a different, more organic path centered on genuine human connection and belonging.
Dan J. Berger is the author of “The Quest: The Definitive Guide to Finding Belonging” (Forbes Books) and founder of Social Tables, which was acquired by Cvent in 2018. He currently leads Assemble Hospitality Group and continues his work in fostering connection and belonging across various communities.
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