The Importance of Belonging

The Mayo Clinic Human Optimization Project, led by Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Doctor Christopher Camp, is a goldmine of practical conversations seeking to help human beings achieve more, however one may define that for oneself, while simultaneously improving well-being, centered around 10 domains of human performance: sleep, nutrition, physical health, exercise, well-being, cognition, personal growth, productivity, leadership, and relationships.

This week we share the episode exploring the topic of “belonging” — a foundational human need, describing a condition wherein people feel accepted, valued, and connected. When people feel like they belong, they stop wasting energy on self-protection and can redirect that energy into growth, contribution, and higher performance.

The episode emphasizes that belonging is dynamic (not a destination), context-dependent, and not the same for everyone—which is why individuals or teams can miss it if they don’t build it intentionally.

A simple framework: the 3 Cs

The episode offers a practical lens for belonging with relevance to leadership, team culture, and individual engagement.

• Comfort: Can I be my authentic self here? Am I creating or contributing to an environment where people feel like they can be authentic?

• Connection: Do I have meaningful relationships here? Am I creating or contributing to environment where people have meaningful relationships?

• Contribution: Do I feel like what I do matters—and I’m making progress? Am I creating or contributing to an environment where people feel like what they do matters, and that they are making progress?

View the episode here, and consider how the topic of belonging applies to your situation, whether personal or professional, athletic or academic, and what you can do about it.

Why this matters for QB Connections

These 3 Cs—Comfort, Connection, Contribution—are exactly what we’re actively working to build in QB Connections: a place where we belong; a place where we can show up and be our authentic selves, build genuine relationships, and contribute to a greater good, on and off the field.

Additional Insights and Resources

From the Productivity Game Series, a book summary that may help drive your ability to find and create a sense of belonging:

From Country Artist Tim McGraw, a great song and video about the power of driving connection and belonging by telling someone, “hey, I thought about you”: