Diversity is not a one and done project: Head of Sales Dropbox APAC

Diversity is not a ‘one and done’ project according to Pia Broadley, head of sales APAC at Dropbox.

She said it is not a matter of writing policy, implementing training and thinking the job is done.

“Diversity, equity and inclusion has to be baked into the fabric of the decision from the processes. Diversity becomes a norm when it infiltrates everything we do,” she said.

“It needs to be part of recruitment practices, career progression, conversations, communication, behaviours, leadership, and product development.”

Broadley said diversity becomes normal when a company shows you what diversity equity inclusion looks like every day, not when someone tells you how to be diverse.

“We need to be holistic and multi-dimensional about our approach. We need to be focused on education, on building communities and about integrating diversity into our business practices and products every day,” she said.

While diversity might be embraced by more people in 2022, there are still some people who are concealing their identities at work, according to Broadley.

“Recent research shows that 62% of Australians still conceal part of their identity from either from their colleagues either somewhere all the time,” she said.

“I want to work in a business in a community that thrives on bringing their whole selves to work where no one feels like they need to pretend to be less than themselves. I have seen it work well.”

Broadley has also seen diversity and inclusion demonstrated deep into an organisation.

“Where all the way through the business from recruitment to product development and every step in between is viewed through an inclusive and diverse lens.

“When leaders actively demonstrate ally ship and talk openly about diversity, where leaders are comfortable to be called out if they miss it in their conversation, their activity or their communication,” she said.