ERG Summit in Los Angeles in 2023: Reflections and Considerations
Do you feel better working in a place where there are people like you, where there are people with similar experience and those who value your experiences?
Last week, I attended the ERG Summit in Los Angeles, a pivotal gathering for leaders in the tech world's Employee Resource Group community. From an event passerby, I was asked, "What's an ERG?"
ERGs, or Employee Resource Groups, are voluntary, employee-led groups that aim to foster a diverse, inclusive workplace. They are rooted in shared characteristics, experiences, or goals, driving engagement by bringing together employees from various backgrounds to collaborate on initiatives related to their shared interests.
Involvement in the Veterans ERG at DoorDash
Joining the Veterans ERG at DoorDash has been transformative for me. As a father and a black man in tech, I found the opportunity to join both the Black@ and Parents@ at DoorDash ERGs as part of the leadership team interesting. While these groups are vitally important and serve necessary purposes within our organization, I made the conscious decision to pivot my focus to the Veterans ERG. This wasn't a choice made lightly.
The Veterans ERG offers a unique tapestry of individuals from a wide range of identities, orientations, and experiences, all unified by their service to our country. This group, while diverse, shares a core bond: our time in the military. During our service, many of us confronted and overcame prejudices, learning to form close, often life-saving bonds with individuals we might never have met in civilian life.
This process of unity, of rapidly moving past our differences to forge deep connections, is something that deeply resonates with me. It's why I chose to channel my energy here, rather than leading the Black@ Parents@ DoorDash groups. Our shared military background offers a foundational understanding, a shared language of sorts, which can be leveraged to make impactful changes within DoorDash. By doing this, it's my intent to impact DoorDash more widely, but supporting other veterans as they translate their skills into the teams around DoorDash.
Key Takeaways from the ERG Summit in LA
The ERG Summit wasn't just about understanding ERGs or connecting with like-minded professionals. It was about audacity. The audacity to dream bigger, to challenge the status quo, and to truly stand for important matters within an organization. The incredible Tina Knowles exemplified this spirit in her keynote. She spoke of the importance of uplifting the youth, pushing them to see a grander vision of their potential futures.
Beyond her inspiring words, the summit was rich with panel discussions. Topics spanned from the intricacies of personal branding to the necessity of standing audaciously for important matters within tech companies. Networking, an essential aspect of any professional journey, was another key focus. The summit provided insights into collaborating with tech innovators both within and outside of one's company, highlighting the vast potential available when we harness the collective strengths of our peers.
DoorDash ERG Members attended a team dinner for a chance to unite people whom may not have ever met, as we have a strong remote culture. Highlighting connections, the DoorDash ERG shared time thinking about how to increase engagement and support.
DoorDash ERG members take a group photo at their team dinner prior to the main event. This is the first time that many of them have met, as they represent different ERGs and locations, in our remote workforce.
A Call to Action
No matter who you are, and regardless of your professional environment, you can take action to share people's unique perspective in the workplace. Open doors provide better flow than close doors. The same is true for the mind and the workplace.
Veterans find solace in the camaraderie of shared experiences. These bonds, formed during times of challenge and growth, can serve as a foundation for professional success. Whether your organization has an ERG or not, I implore you: seek connections. Align with peers who share your experiences, but also with those who offer diverse perspectives. Together, we can shape a corporate culture that champions engagement, innovation, and inclusivity.