Belonging

One of the truest truths of being human is that we all want and need to belong in some way or shape.

Functioning families are a great example of people belonging.

Sadly, oftentimes, people who don't have a functional family are more likely to fall prey to all the wrong kinds of belonging (drugs, gangs, cults, radical religious beliefs) to fill that void.

Hitler used the Hitler Youth to give German kids a sense of belonging (the wrong kind) at a very young age. A lot of those kids had little joy until then, many growing up hungry and without their fathers who fell in World War One.

Missionaries try to create a sense of belonging, often targeting the poorest people as their circumstances make them the most vulnerable to converting to a new belief. Unlike the above example, I'd wager that many modern missionaries want to help those who need help.

Whenever you have a DJ or an artist say things like "Hello Missoula," they're trying to create a sense of belonging - hoping to deepen the engagement with the audience.

Politicians and political parties do this, some much better than others.

Sports teams do this.

Alcoholics Anonymous does this.

Unions do this.

If you're running a business or a nonprofit or are trying to build something, you absolutely can and maybe should make people feel like they're part of something bigger than themselves.

Assuming you're not exploiting people, it can be a beautiful thing when you create a genuine community where people support each other, share common goals, and work together for mutual benefit.

Just don't be an asshole about it.