By return Guest Blogger, Randi Majors, Sr. Communications Specialist for Sodexo's Internal Communications
I’m recovering this week from my participation in Sodexo’s annual Diversity Business Leadership Summit -- and by recovering I mean getting a chance to respond to my e-mail – all the while wearing a smile reflective of my new sense of purpose and commitment to the role I play in developing a diversity story.
You see, on day two of the summit, at 5:45 a.m., -- yes, I was fortunate to be up that early -- I received an e-mail message announcing that Sodexo had received top honors from DiversityInc by being named number one among the top 50 companies for diversity and inclusion. When the announcement was made to the 600 plus attendees at the summit, the excitement was palpable. For me however, everything about the announcement was personal because I realized that the award was about me.
Bear with me here.
I’m a Millennial -- you know, that “it’s all about me” generation that pursues copious amounts of advanced education and expects to align personal values with the organization to which they belong. It is through this lens, that I realize my personal experience isn’t that I work for the company that has received this honor; really, this personal experience is that I’m a part of the story that has led the company to receive such an honor. I realized that the Sodexo diversity and inclusion story couldn’t happen without unique perspectives, backgrounds, and people. It is within the context of diversity and inclusion that I believe that Millennials have it right: diversity and inclusion is about me, and you, and everyone else who makes up a community or organization while contributing to its uniqueness.
That the organization to which I belong has been recognized for this prestigious honor satisfies my Millennial desire that my values match up with that of my organization. Being recognized by DiversityInc demonstrates that Sodexo not only talks the talk, but walks while talking – and the world has noticed. In a six year period this organization has succeeded in manifesting a large portion of its destiny to establish diversity and inclusion as a business imperative, as well as an ethical and social responsibility. Here again, surprise, surprise, I see me. Because diversity and inclusion is a part of the make-up of Sodexo, there is a new learning experience every day. An organization committed to diversity and inclusion is one that is committed to teaching and learning and there are myriad opportunities offered daily. Network groups, mentoring programs, flexible work arrangements all reflect a corporate culture that supports what it means to be diverse and inclusive whether you’re a Millennial or Baby Boomer, Pacific-Islander or South American, telecommuter or cube dweller.
Our organizational leaders will tell you that we still have work left to do, and that’s ok with me. A commitment to work means a commitment to change, and you guessed it, a commitment to me.
What else could a Millennial ask for?
1 comments:
Sodexo is the first foodservice company to be named the best for diversity by DiversityInc. MFHA is proud to have Sodexo as a member. Rohini Anand and her team have done an outstanding job in building a world class diversity and inclusion initiative. Just as important is the commitment of Sodexo's senior management to making diversity a integral part of the business. Congratulations to Sodexo.
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