"BELONGING BEYOND THE NORM: GIFTED INDIVIDUALS IN THE WORKPLACE"
Keywords
Loading...
Authors
Issue Date
2024-07-09
Language
en
Document type
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Title
ISSN
Volume
Issue
Startpage
Endpage
DOI
Abstract
This qualitative study investigates the experiences of gifted employees in organizational contexts, focusing on their sense of belonging and the factors influencing it. Gifted employees often face unique challenges and opportunities due to their heightened cognitive abilities and intense sensitivities. The goal of this research is to explore how these individuals perceive belongingness at work and to identify key factors that contribute to or hinder their feelings of belongingness in the workplace. The research question guiding this study is: How do gifted employees perceive and experience belongingness within organizational settings, and what factors contribute to or hinder their sense of belonging?
Through thirteen semi-structured interviews with gifted employees, the study contributes theoretically by filling a gap in the literature regarding the intersection of giftedness and workplace belongingness. It highlights the importance of understanding and accommodating the specific needs and characteristics of gifted employees to foster a more inclusive organizational culture. The findings reveal that recognizing gifted individuals’ unique needs and characteristics, for example, meaningful interactions, shared intellectual interests and autonomy play pivotal roles in enhancing gifted employees' sense of belonging. Conversely, rigid structures, lack of autonomy, and misunderstanding of their unique traits can lead to feelings of isolation and undervaluation.
Practically, this research offers actionable insights for organizational leaders and managers to create environments that better support gifted employees. Recommendations include fostering awareness of giftedness, promoting inclusive leadership styles, implementing flexible work arrangements, and enhancing communication strategies. By addressing these recommendations, organizations can optimize the contributions of gifted employees, improve employee satisfaction, and foster a more inclusive and productive workplace environment.
In conclusion, this study underscores the importance of recognizing and accommodating the specific needs of gifted employees within organizational settings to enhance their sense of belonging and overall well-being.
Description
Citation
Supervisor
Faculty
Faculteit der Medische Wetenschappen