Despite the often-contentious tone of our national debate surrounding issues of equality, respect and fairness, there are encouraging signs. Large companies noted for their commitment to diversity and inclusion are emphasizing the need for honest conversations in the workplace, and the results are promising. That’s a big focus at AT&T, and we’re thrilled Great Place to Work recognized it by naming us to the FORTUNE 100 Best Companies for Diversity list for the third consecutive year.
This year, I’ve talked with thousands of AT&T employees about the importance of having these conversations, and how to make them constructive. We’ve tackled contentious and divisive issues head-on and learned a lot about one another – and about ourselves. That’s why it’s fitting that AT&T is joining 150 other companies across the U.S. for Days of Dialogue. Imagine hundreds of thousands at workplaces nationwide coming together to build deeper, more meaningful relationships. There’s so much potential.
We’ll culminate Days of Dialogue on Friday, Dec. 14, when Dr. Henry Louis Gates Jr., Harvard professor and host of the popular PBS series, Finding Your Roots, reveals the results of genealogy tests on three AT&T leaders in a live companywide webcast: myself, Thaddeus Arroyo, CEO of AT&T Business; and Marachel Knight, SVP overseeing our 5G network build. Dr. Gates has done extensive work on how the human genome reveals we’re all far more similar than we are different. That should be a great lead-in to his advice on how to continue to have constructive dialogue around sensitive topics that are important to all of us.
Live events featuring honest discussions with real people—that’s been our approach at AT&T. And while we’re far from perfect, our commitment gets stronger every day.
Enjoy the holidays, and please – for the people in your life – pledge today that you won’t text and drive. It Can Wait.
