The Importance of Teamwork

I feel privileged to work for a company that embraces pioneering, excellence, community, and commitment as our core values. They form the pillars of our collective vision and the guideposts to our most important decisions. Arvinas values both its internal and external community and our leadership team works hard to build a positive working environment reflective of our culture. On any given day, I can walk through our offices or join a conference call and witness colleagues from across departments working together to solve a problem or sharing ideas on how to enhance the employee experience.

My nearly 35 years in this industry has proven time and time again that a well-bonded team is more productive, collaborates more openly, and trusts each other to take the creative risks that result in long-term success. To facilitate team connection and our organization’s strength, employees are encouraged by their leadership teams to come forward with ideas, big or small, of initiatives they think would enhance our culture and collaboration. One idea that was particularly grassroots-driven is the Arvinas Hiking Club. Once a month, a group of our adventurous team members head out on an employee-led hike to experience the natural beauty and peace that Connecticut has to offer. An increasing number of studies have demonstrated the connection between the reduction of stress and spending time in nature[1], so we love this option as a healthy outlet for employees with the added benefit of building that team bond in the great outdoors.

Wellness Wednesdays is another program that I have witnessed grow over the last year – another grassroots initiative that has turned into a well-established and robust program. Our employees have enjoyed activities like yoga classes, stepped outside to enjoy a meal from one of New Haven’s famous food trucks, or gathered to clean up trash along the streets near our offices.?

Arvinas employees are committed to giving back to the community and coming together to support causes that are not only important to Arvinas but resonate with our employees as well, including the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, The Closer to Free Ride and the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk.

Last month, Arvinas hosted our inaugural Impact Day, a community service day aimed at encouraging employees to step away from their desks, both in-office and at-home, and into Greater New Haven to give back to our community through activities aligned with our core values. Activities included supporting organizations such as Save the Sound, Solar Youth, and Junior Achievement of Southwest New England. As role models, we are working to positively impact young people’s views on the importance of education, offer life skills, and protect our environment.

At Arvinas, we are cognizant that our relentless pursuit of excellence has the potential to create separation, hyper-independent work, and difficulty in finding time to organically connect across departments and disciplines. As such, building connections among colleagues through play in the great outdoors, mentoring Connecticut’s youth, or by hosting our annual Summer of Science picnic, remains integral in building the bonds of trust that are critical to collaborative success and keeping employee health and morale high.?

I feel extremely fortunate to have a front-row seat to the growth and development that will come as the company expands both scientifically and culturally. In my opinion, the opportunity to be a part of #TeamArvinas is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I am so grateful for my incredible colleagues.

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[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5981243/