The Power of Small Tip #24: Why Employees Stay: The Power of Belonging and Connection

The Power of Small: How Little Things Make a Big Difference

Think about the last time something small made a big difference: a word of encouragement, a small idea, a two-minute lesson that stuck. This season on I Love Learning, we’re diving into The Power of Small. Host Dr. Gina Anderson will unpack stories of how learning doesn’t have to be big to be powerful because sometimes, it’s the smallest spark that ignites the biggest change.

For more on the Power of Small, check out Dr. Gina Anderson’s TEDx Raleigh talk “How Microlearning and Connections Transform Us: The Power of Being Present”.

I Love Learning Podcast, S3 EP24: Shea Happ and Rachel Swanson

Have you ever stayed somewhere because you felt like you truly belonged?

Not because of the paycheck.
Not because of the title.

But because the people around you made you feel valued.

Seen.

And appreciated.

In this episode of I Love Learning, Shea Happ, Recruiting Manager at Forward Air, and Rachel Swanson, Director of Marketing and Advertising at Forward Air, share why creating a sense of belonging is one of the most powerful things an organization can do.

While their roles focus on different areas of the business, both understand the same truth:

People want to know they matter.

They want to feel connected to a purpose.

They want to know their contributions make a difference.

Through recruiting, marketing, and culture-building, Shea and Rachel help create experiences that make employees feel welcomed, supported, and engaged.

Their conversation is a reminder that workplace culture isn’t built through one big initiative.

It’s built through everyday interactions.

A leader who listens.

A teammate who includes others.

A conversation that makes someone feel valued.

This week’s tip is:

One person who feels heard.
One leader who takes the time to listen.
One conversation that creates trust.

Small moments of connection often have the greatest impact.

Those moments create cultures where people want to stay, grow, and contribute.

Small does not mean insignificant.

Sometimes, small is what helps people feel like they belong.

You can connect with Shea Happ here.

You can connect with Rachel Swanson here. 

Check out this week’s episode:
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