Forging Connections Ignites Allyship

Allyship in the workplace is becoming increasingly important to building and sustaining a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for all employees. According to the State of Allyship Report: The Key to Workplace Inclusion report, 92% of individuals have found allies to be invaluable in their careers. Those who have at least one ally at work are almost twice as likely to feel a sense of belonging and satisfaction with their job role and company's culture. This data highlights the crucial role of allyship in the workplace and its potential to enhance our professional experiences.

My journey as an ally began in grade school and has shaped my life. My experiences with being bullied and standing up for others have instilled in me compassion, perspective, and empathy. This deep appreciation of allyship has not only connected me with human beings of varied cultures, backgrounds, and identities but also allowed my creative brain to develop in a unique way. It has expanded my networks beyond what I (actively) comprehend, and I continue to grow and learn from these experiences.

It didn't take my degree in anthropology to show me how beautiful embracing the human experience can be, specifically, how opening your view allows you to truly see, feel, and bond with our world. However, it did help me understand that human connection is what we each intrinsically need to thrive—personally, professionally, and as members of society.

My allyship journey took another important step in high school, where I made it a mission to befriend as many of my 800 classmates as possible. My teenage years offered a wide range of possibilities for personal interaction, and during my junior year, I joined our LGBTQ+ club as an ally. This decision was influenced by my upbringing with two uncles who are gay men. My Uncle Tim has always been a significant figure in my life, and I've always championed him as he has done for me. As I navigated my teens, I felt a growing desire to engage further in allyship. This self-education journey also made me more aware of my privilege. Joining the LGBTQ+ club gave me the tools to show up and speak up.

The beauty of Cadence's culture lies in our understanding that to change the future of technology, we must innovate as One Team. As we all play a role in our collective success, we establish trust among our diverse group of colleagues while encouraging meaningful connection through our inclusion groups, engaging panel discussions, and by inviting diverse speakers to share their own stories of growth. We also celebrate our employees' unique backgrounds, identities, and heritage. By forging relationships, we ignite allyship.

Allyship is a transformative experience that pushes us beyond ourselves and into a vital aspect of our humanity. It opens new perspectives, allowing us to connect with other humans in ways that help us be better individuals, parents, community leaders, and employees. It is a powerful tool for making a profound and lasting impact on the world. I wholeheartedly encourage you to embrace it.

Looking for more information on how you can become an ally? Read more from the Great Place to Work Institute on what allyship in the workplace can look like.

Learn more about Cadence DEI programs in Cadence’s ESG report.