Beyond Inclusion: Why 'Belonging' is the New Frontier in Real Estate Leadership

Written by:

Steve Marcinuk

Date:

26 Aug 2025

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Real estate industry veteran Natalie Davis argues that simply including diverse voices isn’t enough – organizations must create environments where people can “show up just as they are,” with their unique cultures and backgrounds celebrated, not just tolerated.

The Critical Distinction

“When we talk about inclusion itself, we typically think about our space, the environment, culture, tools, resources, practices that are available to everyone,” says Davis, the newly appointed Director of Community Growth at Keller Williams. “But belonging means allowing individuals to show up within your organization just as they are, to understand that their culture, their differences, their background, will be celebrated and respected.”

Davis, who transitioned to the role after years of teaching NAR-designated courses on diversity and inclusion, says this distinction represents a fundamental shift in how real estate organizations should approach workplace culture.

From Access to Authenticity

According to Davis, many organizations stop at providing equal access to resources and opportunities, the inclusion piece. However, she argues this approach falls short of creating truly empowering environments.

“We can welcome everyone to come in and be a part of the organization,” Davis explains. “But if they don’t truly feel like they have that sense of belonging, like they truly can show up as they are every day and not shedding or leaving parts of them behind when they enter into that workspace, then you haven’t achieved success.”

Building Better Organizations Through Belonging

Davis points out that belonging isn’t just about making people feel welcome, it’s about unlocking their full potential. “If you are part of an organization and you don’t feel like you belong in that organization or that you’re not even included in the decision making or the leadership or the vision of the organization, it’s more challenging to step into that space and feel the motivation and the drive to truly excel,” she says.

The Path Forward

In her new role at Keller Williams, Davis is implementing this philosophy through several initiatives, including 13 multicultural communities created and led by agents. These communities provide spaces where individuals can find that crucial sense of belonging within the larger corporate ecosystem.

“What’s been exceptional with the Keller Williams family is that everyone’s on board and we understand the bigger picture,” Davis says, noting that the company’s commitment goes beyond surface-level diversity initiatives. “We are truly striving to create that sense of belonging company wide and Market Center to market center.”