I don’t fit in at work, what should I do?

Abstract

It’s natural to want to be included, but there are things you can do when you don’t feel part of the team, Abi Rimmer hears Kirsty Shires, salaried GP, GP appraiser, coach, and mentor, West Midlands, says, “For many of us, fitting in at work is important to our sense of self, identity, and belonging. When this is lacking, it can affect our confidence and ability to perform well—which in healthcare could affect patient care as well as our own wellbeing. “There could be many factors involved in that sense of fitting in, but if we notice this feeling then it is worth taking stock and exploring it. This might mean asking questions about the situation we find ourselves in, the organisation we’re working for, the people we’re working with, and, perhaps most pertinently, ourselves. “From my own experience of working in different organisations, and from listening to others who are having qualms about fitting in, the difficulty can arise from a mismatch between your own values and those of the wider organisation. “Sometimes, it might be because of different styles of communication, or there may be a culture at the …