As Easter approaches, many workplaces are planning egg hunts, morning teas, and festive gatherings. But have you ever stopped to think about who might be feeling left out of these celebrations? That uncomfortable sensation of exclusion is something we've all experienced at some point.
When Easter Treats Become More Than Just Chocolate 🐣🍫
It's amazing how something as simple as Easter treats in the workplace can reveal so much about how we connect with each other, isn't it? Over the years, we've noticed that holiday celebrations often shine a spotlight on team dynamics in ways that everyday interactions don't quite capture.
💬 Let me set the scene for you:
Paula was sitting in the staff lunch room when her teammates were celebrating Easter with hot cross buns and chocolate eggs. Paula was offended she had not been invited to join, as she had been part of the team for over 12 months. She went to her boss in tears, claiming the team was bullying her.
Pretty basic scenario, right? That's what we thought.
What We've Learned About Exclusion 🤔
The fascinating aspect isn't whether this constitutes bullying—it's the range of reactions this scenario triggers. Some participants get defensive, others tearful. Some slam their workbooks shut, refusing to answer without more context. Others immediately declare it bullying.
When we ask why someone might be so adamant that this is bullying, the answer is almost always: "Because that happened to me!"
We all carry emotional memories of exclusion, whether from childhood Easter egg hunts or workplace celebrations. These experiences shape how we perceive similar situations years later.
The Psychology of Exclusion ✅
In simplistic terms:
An event happens: Paula wasn't invited to share Easter treats.
We put meaning on the event: "They're intentionally excluding me."
This shapes how we feel: Paula felt bullied.
The fascinating thing? It's never really about the hot cross buns or chocolate eggs. It's about our fundamental human need to belong.
Coming from a Place of Curiosity ✨
Without curiosity, we miss the opportunity to understand what's really happening. When someone feels excluded, their pain is real—our brains process social exclusion in the same regions that process physical pain.
Are you thinking, "But what if we've asked Paula before and she never joins in?"
Let's challenge ourselves to quit making assumptions. The person often still wants to be asked, not to reject us, but because they want to feel they belong. We all do.
Our Path Forward This Easter ✅
If we want to create workplaces worth belonging, we need to:
Have a conversation.
Quit making assumptions.
More conversations, more often!
Coming from that place of curiosity rather than judgment makes all the difference.
Micro moments matter in building that sense of belonging—whether it's asking someone to join Easter celebrations or checking in with a genuine "How are you doing today?"
As Easter approaches, let's take a moment to think: who might feel excluded from our celebrations? What simple gesture could make them feel they belong? 🤔
Because at the end of the day, it's not about the chocolate eggs or hot cross buns. It's about creating workplaces where everyone feels they have a seat at the table.
What micro moments can we create this Easter to help someone feel they belong?
✅ Remember, these tiny actions might seem small to us, but they can make someone's entire holiday season brighter.
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