Reflections on Pride London – celebrating diversity and creativity as a team
Last month, over 40 Adobe UK employees took part in the annual London Pride Parade. It was incredible to be part of such a huge celebration of individuality and expression and the energy at the event was nothing short of electric.
As we headed home after an exhausting but exhilarating parade, there was one particularly important takeaway that I’ve thought a lot about since. Bringing so many people together around a common aim of inclusivity and belonging was incredibly powerful, and the value of rallying together as a team even more so. Companies the world over are trying to build inclusive and positive company cultures, and Pride really demonstrates how taking the time to listen to, understand and support one another is what forges relationships.
In the run up to Pride, we hosted a session for Adobe employees to share their individual experiences as we continue to strive for an inclusive working environment where we celebrate everyone’s story. At the heart of Adobe’s business is the idea that everyone has a story to tell. We enable people the world over to express themselves through photography, illustration, design…but it is fundamental that our teams are just as empowered to tell their own stories. Here are some of the thoughts shared by individuals at Adobe:
Sam Robins, Group Manager, EMEA Education Marketing
“For me, being inclusive in the workplace means I can feel comfortable being myself no matter what meetings I’m in or where I am. And that’s what’s important about the inclusive nature at Adobe, I never fear who I am.”
Steven Whiting, Social Media Manager
“Inclusivity in the workplace is about creating a safe place for everyone and thinking about other people who have different life stories and perspectives to you, irrespective of whether that’s religion, gender, race…”
I couldn’t be prouder to be part of an organisation that understands the importance of diversity of thought and lives and breathes this – from the products it produces to the teams it builds. Different perspectives are not only valued at Adobe, but also encouraged. Irrespective of someone’s gender, age, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, cultural background or religious beliefs, everyone is given a voice. We build networks, support systems and spaces to communicate in to enable a diversity of voices that is celebrated and supported. I truly believe that beyond this being the right thing to, this diverse and inclusive environment also makes us more creative and innovative as a business.
There are Adobe teams across Europe taking part in Pride parades in July and August but a fundamental message for all of us at Adobe, and particularly those of us who marched together through the scorching temperatures in central London, is that we are _Better Together. Better Together _is more than just a tagline – it represents our ongoing focus and commitment to inclusion and creating a space where people can be their authentic selves. Without question everyone can succeed when a supportive and inclusive environment is created for individuals to thrive in, and they can feel confident in sharing their thoughts and expressing their creativity. For me, this should not be something organisations do just once a year at Pride, but every day of every year. As Sam said, creating an environment where everyone can be themselves is one of the most important things a company can do for its employees.
We still have work to do in building a truly inclusive work environment, and it is vital to remember that inclusivity shouldn’t be a focus for one particular time of the year. It needs to be part of the fabric of the organisation every single day.
Adobe at Pride UK
Follow #AdobeForAll_ and see how our employees are making their communities a diverse and inclusive place for all. Visit our Diversity and Inclusion site to learn more about our initiatives. And read more about our employee networks and the employees that breathe life into them:_