Practicing Belonging, One Connection at a Time
January often arrives with fresh calendars and big expectations. New goals. New plans. New energy. And while all of that can be exciting, it can also feel like a lot.
This is why, as we begin the year together, I’ve been reflecting on the idea of belonging. Not as something we wait to feel, but as something we actively practice, one interaction at a time.
Belonging shows up in simple, often quiet ways. It’s the courage to walk into a room where you don’t know many faces yet. It’s choosing curiosity over comparison. It’s reaching out, staying present, and making space for one another as we learn and grow together.
As coaches, we know that meaningful growth rarely happens in isolation. It happens in relationship. In conversation. In community.
As you step into this new year, I invite you to pause and consider a few questions:
-
Where do I already feel a sense of belonging in my professional life?
-
Where might I be holding back, waiting for an invitation instead of extending one?
-
How do I contribute to the kind of community I want to be part of?
-
What would it look like to practice belonging more intentionally this year?
Our hope for ICF Minnesota in 2026 is that it continues to be a place where you don’t just attend events or earn credits, but where you feel connected, supported, and challenged in meaningful ways. A place where belonging is not assumed, but cultivated together.
Thank you for showing up, for being part of this community, and for practicing belonging with us. I’m looking forward to the conversations, connections, and growth that await us in the year ahead.
Here’s to a grounded, connected start to 2026.
By Karla Quinn, President, ICF Minnesota
|