In this episode of The Belonging Shift, host Mantej Singh speaks with Anthea Hancocks, CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute, about how Australia can strengthen belonging and social cohesion through trust, dignity, reciprocity and everyday local action. Anthea explains why belonging is not a single destination, why labels can limit people’s agency, and why leaders should avoid patronising, paternalism and pity. The conversation moves from research and public debate to very practical actions: listen respectfully, focus on the real issue, activate neighbourhood connections, support local participation and start with a smile.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Belonging and Community Leadership

02:55 Understanding Personal Belonging

05:57 Defining Belonging Beyond the Term

07:38 Economic Pressures and Belonging

09:10 Cultural Inclusion and Terminology

12:50 Avoiding Labels and Fostering Agency

13:59 Addressing Deficit Models in Organizations

15:49 Community Engagement and Local Action

20:50 Navigating Cultural Debates

23:44 Shifts for Leaders in Promoting Belonging

26:34 Encouraging Community Action for Belonging

Anthea Hancocks’ advice for leaders and practitioners for making the #BelongingShift

Shift 1: Move from labels to the real issue people are experiencing.

Shift 2: Move from deficit thinking to dignity, agency and contribution.

Shift 3: Move from pity, paternalism and patronising behaviour to respectful peer-to-peer listening.

Shift 4: Move from national debate alone to practical neighbourhood connection and local participation.

Shift 5: Move from waiting for belonging to be created for us to starting with small everyday gestures — even a smile.

Guest Bio

Anthea Hancocks is the CEO of the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute. The Institute is dedicated to making research into social cohesion accessible and understandable while maintaining the highest levels of research expertise and integrity. She has a background in leadership positions in government, professional services, academia, philanthropy and not for profit organisations.

Host Bio

Mantej Singh is the Founder and Principal Consultant for Belonging Co, a social and cultural inclusion consultancy based in Sydney with a belonging lens.

Belonging Co helps leaders drive participation, trust and engagement. The consultancy delivers strategies, engagement, and programs for organisations and leaders wanting genuine impact across cultural inclusion, community participation and social cohesion.

He founded Belonging Co in 2025 to enhance the capability, confidence, and understanding of leaders and organisations regarding inclusion and community participation. Mantej has over 20 years of experience across community engagement, placemaking, and inclusion, emphasizing that belonging is foundational to thriving communities and effective institutions. For more information on Belonging Co visit www.belongingco.com.au and www.linkedin.com/in/mantejs

Make the #Belonging Shift

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