When people feel that they belong, they are more likely to engage, take risks, and act in ways that benefit their teams, organizations, and communities. Yet belonging doesn’t always come naturally. In a new, unfamiliar, or challenging environment, one of the most pressing questions people grapple with is whether they truly belong. In these situations, how can people effectively respond to the experience of belonging uncertainty, and how can they help others do the same?

This exercise presents a set of personal reflections from University of Virginia Darden School of Business alumni about the challenges they faced during their first few months in the MBA program. In these short narratives, students describe moments of self-doubt, impostor syndrome, and feeling out of place. But by seeking support, reframing their experiences, and building new habits, over time they experienced a stronger sense of connection within the community.

With these reflections as a backdrop, this exercise can be used to support anyone navigating a challenging system or period of transition. It invites students to explore the science of belonging and connection, examine the structural and psychological barriers that get in the way of connecting with others, and practice the kind of leadership that can help create a more open and integrated community. This exercise can also serve as a model for bottom-up cultural change. It shows how members of a community can make intentional choices that have a profound effect on the norms, interactions, and practices within a community.

This exercise works well in a stand-alone session outside of formal coursework. It can be used in norm-setting conversations within sections, school programming, or small-group discussions—anywhere students are beginning to reflect on organizational culture and their roles in shaping their learning environment. It can also be used in a course on leadership and organizational behavior for discussions around interpersonal dynamics, belonging, connection, culture, and/or organizational change.