Extension Engine
Blog

By this point in our post-Covid lives, we all know that a major difficulty in communicating with people online lies in building connections with them. The challenge of creating relationships through a screen affects not only our ability to learn remotely but also to work and to make and maintain friendships. In this “new normal,” it’s important to find some creative solutions to this issue.

When asked why Extension Engine has a People Ops practice and not a Human Resources (HR) department, I like to talk about the difference between “people” and “resources.” Resources include technology, physical space, desk supplies — things without talents or desires. People have abilities to contribute, objectives they want to accomplish, skills they want to learn, and ideas and feelings they want to express. 

Last summer we made a commitment to hold a mirror up to ourselves. Using our values as a guide, we aim to Be Honest with ourselves about the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at Extension Engine. To Be Humble, identifying and owning the areas in which we needed to do better. To Be Excellent, by holding ourselves accountable to doing better. To do the work needed to create a more inclusive and equitable work environment, where team members from diverse backgrounds can be their whole selves, do their best work, and thrive.

Our values aren’t emblazoned across our walls, etched on mugs, or stitched into T-shirts, but we are working to embed them into our day-to-day interactions. They are purposely phrased as verbs, as actions, so that we can do just that: put them into action. 

The tragic killing of George Floyd and the events of the last few months have shone a spotlight on the disparate experiences of the Black community that have been marred by a culture of white supremacy and prejudiced systems and individuals. We know that these experiences are not new, and we know that change is long overdue. Now is the time for us to come together. Now is the time for us to speak up. Now is the time for action.