The Mutual Benefit of Employee Resource Groups

Two milestone moments last week served as reminders of the power of resiliency, creativity and excitement about what the future holds. My oldest son turned 16, which feels like such a rite of passage moment. And, I attended Hewlett Packard Enterprise’s Young Employee Network (YEN) 2021 kick-off meeting! While I’m a few years beyond being as youthful as my son and these impressive young colleagues, YEN president Eduardo Martinez reminded me, I am still young at heart!

I’m really jazzed about serving as executive sponsor for our HPE YEN this year, and this new honor has me thinking about the role Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) play for both the individuals who participate in them and the organizations that benefit from their wisdom, expertise and commitment, particularly in these ever-changing times.

1.    Human connectedness

After nearly a year of sheltering-in-place, it’s clear that we cannot discount the importance of human interaction – whether it’s exchanging ideas, commiserating about our individual experiences, or just having the moxie to turn our cameras on and reveal our true selves after a morning run.

Pre-pandemic, many of us enjoyed socializing in office hallways, at team meetings, and at company events. A good portion of our social lives have been shaped by our workplace interactions, and I so look forward to resuming those activities when it is safe.

But whether you’re working in an office or working from home, ERGs provide an opportunity to meet new people and talk shop. Especially for young people who are just entering the workforce, ERGs are a catalyst for creating meaningful new relationships.

2.    Career development  

As the world changes, so does the path to professional growth. In fact, I can think of several critical communication roles that didn’t even exist when I began my career – think CommTech, social media, and Diversity & Inclusion.

ERGs provide an opportunity to liaise with diverse business groups, hone our business acumen, and discover new opportunities. ERGs can help each of us build our personal brands within an organization, which can open doors and help us chart important career moves.

3.    Social evolution

ERGs also help shape the cultural fabric and world-view of an organization. At HPE, it’s our ERGs that host our Lunar New Year, Diwali, and Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations, educating team members about the unique customs of their peers around the globe.

Our Young Employee Network (YEN) is helping facilitate cross-generational understanding, which is vital to creating a workforce of the future. In the wake of George Floyd’s death in May of 2020, members of our Black Employee Network (BEN) helped me understand how to be a better advocate for social justice. And, members of our Disability Network have expanded my understanding of effective communication in a digital world.  

ERGs provide a built-in community and much-needed feedback loop to ensure we are constantly listening, learning, and holding ourselves to a higher standard of respect and inclusivity.

I am looking forward to a great year ahead with HPE’s YEN. And, I encourage anyone to start or join an ERG in your organization. You’ll be glad you did.