As we embrace and celebrate the vibrant and empowering spirit of Pride Month this June, it is also important that we acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community worldwide.
In recent years and months, we have witnessed the passage of anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and a disturbing sense of animosity and misplaced anger toward this valued community. It’s disturbing after so many years of fighting for acceptance, protection, and the simple right to exist and access the personal freedoms we each deserve as human beings. Today, as the CEO of Betterworks, I stand alongside each and every member of our diverse family, united in our unwavering support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
At Betterworks, we understand that fostering an environment of psychological safety is not just an aspiration, but a necessity. Every individual deserves to feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work — and every organization has a responsibility to create an environment where any behavior or decision that jeopardizes that sense of safety and belonging is not tolerated.
Every individual deserves to feel valued, respected, and empowered to bring their whole selves to work — and every organization has a responsibility to create an environment where any behavior or decision that jeopardizes that sense of safety and belonging is not tolerated.
We recognize that embracing and celebrating the diversity of our team not only drives innovation — it also reflects the very real world we serve as a business. We at Betterworks strive to be a safe, trusted partner that companies can be proud to do business with. We prioritize trust, understanding, and empathy, and extend that to every individual we encounter.
Organizations need to be upstanders
In light of the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community, it is increasingly important that we continue to be a voice, not just within our organization but also in the wider world. By actively advocating for inclusivity, we can create a ripple effect of positive change and work toward dismantling the discriminatory systems that perpetuate inequality. Our commitment to diversity and inclusivity extends to every aspect of our organization. We are proud to create a workplace where employees, irrespective of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or expression, feel safe, supported, and celebrated for who they are.
To create inclusive workplaces, we must remain vigilant in actively defending people’s right to be themselves. We understand that being an ally goes beyond just voicing our support during Pride Month. It requires continuous education, empathy, and intentional action. We encourage open dialogue, not only within our organization but also in the wider community, to promote understanding and challenge prejudiced perspectives.
… being an ally goes beyond just voicing our support during Pride Month. It requires continuous education, empathy, and intentional action. We encourage open dialogue, not only within our organization but also in the wider community, to promote understanding and challenge prejudiced perspectives.
Elevate people, celebrate our diversity
As we celebrate Pride Month, let’s remember the immense courage, resilience, and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community — and reaffirm our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where differences are celebrated and every employee can bring their authentic selves to work. We can create a world where love, acceptance, and equality triumph over discrimination. Betterworks will continue to advocate for LGBTQIA+ rights, supporting organizations that champion inclusivity, and working toward a future that is free from prejudice.
In this progress toward equality, I am incredibly proud of our team at Betterworks. Their passion, dedication, and unwavering support for our LGBTQIA+ colleagues is truly inspiring. To our employees, thank you for making Betterworks a place where everyone feels safe, accepted, and empowered to be themselves.
Doug Dennerline is the CEO of Betterworks. He has been working in Silicon Valley since 1982 at companies including HP, 3Com, and Cisco, and served as the president of Webex by Cisco and SuccessFactors, which was the first company to move the performance management process to the cloud and was ultimately acquired by SAP.
