600 employees at Ternium have so far taken part in the Lean In Together Circles.
With a global presence in more than eleven countries, Ternium is a company that offers a wide-ranging culture of diversity, constantly engaged in creating more inclusive work environments thanks to initiatives such as the Lean In Together Circles. These are opportunities to develop dialogue in a safe space, and are aimed at encouraging frank conversations between participants about different aspects of diversity, such as gender equality, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, and living with a disability, to mention a few.
Last December saw the close of the fourth edition of the Lean In Circles, involving a total of 169 participants, including 20 directors. This cohort distinguished itself from previous ones as most of the circles took a global approach in response to the fact that those taking part were from all the countries where Ternium is present. In turn, the initiative reflects the importance the company is giving to its drive to promote multicultural attitudes and a pluralism of ideas.
Fabio Luiz Lourenço, Senior Maintenance Director of Ternium Brazil, believes that it is vital for companies to offer these spaces for sharing and reflection: “We tend to cling to a culture that has its roots in our customs, our family upbringing and our friends. This means that when we talk to other people who haven’t had this kind of exposure, both parties experience doubts and misgivings about all kinds of things, as well as an underlying fear coupled with indifference about how to deal with people who are different to me.”
Thanks to activities such as the Lean In Circles, the participants are able to recognize the benefits of a cultural shift in the company, one enabling them to reach for a revitalized and more open mindset. “It’s a really gratifying experience,” acknowledges Lourenço.
Pilar Martinez, Credit Manager of Ternium Argentina, points out that the sessions are designed to make people more aware of all the small and apparently insignificant acts that have repercussions. “The Lean In Circles are places where you know everything is governed by confidentiality; they forge bonds of trust and encourage us to share experiences. It’s a way of opening up our minds to see things from other perspectives, from other people’s point of view.
During the next few months, the new cohort of participants will work on topics such as unconscious bias, identity and intersectionality, privilege, how to build inclusive workspaces, leading change, and promoting inclusion.