By Geert Geens
When we talk about company culture, most people think of it as some abstract concept—something for HR to handle, or maybe a lofty idea for leadership to discuss during retreats. But what if I told you the real power of a strong culture comes from something far less glamorous? Not big speeches or carefully crafted strategies, but the smallest of signals. Daily, almost invisible interactions that make or break the connection between people. These are belonging cues.
What are belonging cues? In simple terms, they’re those little actions that send a powerful message: “You’re part of this.” A genuine smile, eye contact, addressing someone by name. These seemingly tiny gestures are the threads that weave the fabric of human connection. And connection, as we’ve seen time and time again, is the foundation for teams not just to work, but to thrive.
Kindness as evolutionary strategy: what foxes can teach us about culture
Let’s switch gears for a moment. Forget the usual corporate examples. Instead, think about foxes. Yes, foxes. Russian scientist Dmitry Belyayev ran a groundbreaking experiment with them in Siberia. He found that foxes bred for friendliness didn’t just become easier to work with—they actually changed physically, too. Their coats got softer, their teeth smaller. Essentially, they evolved to be more adaptable through kindness.
Now, if that kind of transformation can happen to foxes, imagine what it can do for people. Culture isn’t about who’s the strongest or smartest. It’s about who can build the strongest connections. Survival of the friendliest isn’t just a catchy phrase, it’s a fundamental truth about how we succeed, both as humans and in teams.
The amygdala: fear vs. kindness
Here’s where it gets even more interesting. Our brains are wired to be on the lookout for danger—that’s what the amygdala does. It’s always scanning for threats, especially in new situations: a new job, a tense meeting, an unfamiliar group. This can make us defensive or anxious.
However, that same amygdala can be calmed down by something as simple as a smile or an encouraging word. Belonging cues short-circuit that fear response and replace it with trust. These tiny interactions are what shift the dynamic from anxiety to openness, laying the groundwork for collaboration and creativity.
Small gestures, big results
Think these belonging cues are just soft, HR fluff? Think again. Google’s famous Aristotle Project—an extensive study on what makes teams succeed—found that it wasn’t individual talent that mattered most. It was how people in those teams interacted with each other. Teams that listened to one another, picked up on social cues, and felt psychologically safe outperformed the rest. Period.
Still not convinced? A simple experiment in a call center increased productivity by $15 million just by adjusting coffee break schedules so people could talk and connect more. That’s right: more belonging cues, more productivity, more profit.
Turn belonging into your superpower
In my book, I lay out exactly how you can leverage belonging cues to reshape your organization’s culture and boost performance. This blog is just a sneak peek. If you’re curious about how these small signals can make a massive difference in your team or business, keep an eye out for our upcoming magazine. As I like to say: “Compared to belonging cues, words are merely noise.”
Need practical advice? My book, that will be published in 2025, has step-by-step tips to get you started, transforming your culture into something deliberate and powerful. It’s time to stop leaving culture to chance and start building it with intent, using the superpower of belonging cues.
