Creating Spaces where People Belong in Life & Sport

How do leaders build communities where people truly feel they belong? In this conversation, host Leigh Mitchell and Douglas A. Jones (author of Loosen Your Grip) explain why belonging is critical in sports, leadership, and daily life. Discover actionable ways to cultivate psychological safety, reframe mistakes, and build inclusive spaces across sports, healthcare, and community initiatives.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why "belonging is like oxygen" for community health
• Overcoming feelings of exclusion in sports and professional leadership
• How to create judgment-free environments for personal growth
• Lessons on vulnerability from tennis, music, and hospice volunteering

What are Haikus?

A haiku is a short, unrhymed form of Japanese poetry that traditionally consists of 17 phonetic units in a 5, 7, and 5 pattern.

Core Structure and Meaning

• Line count: Three lines.
• Syllables (English): Five syllables in the first line, seven in the second, and five in the third.
• Traditional focus: Nature, seasonal changes, and capturing a specific, fleeting moment in time.
• Classic elements: Traditional Japanese haiku often include a kigo (seasonal word) and a kireji (cutting word that creates a pause or comparison).

Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction to Douglas A. Jones & Loosen Your Grip

03:15 - Why is belonging essential for community leadership?

10:40 - Overcoming feeling out of place in sports and new pursuits

18:20 - Practical steps to build judgment-free spaces

26:10 - How small acts of connection impact community settings

Featured Resources:

Loosen Your Grip: For Your Wild, Precious Journey Through Life and Tennis by Douglas A. Jones

Purchase Doug's Book - Perfect for Any Special Occasion and consider leaving a review on Amazon https://a.co/d/0hUh8rAV

Doug Jones is a retired dentist who lives on the southern shore of Georgian Bay, Ontario, with his wife Diane. They have four children, their partners, and eight grandchildren. He's an avid tennis player and coach, and he sings and plays guitar for friends and family and at local churches and hospitals.