Stories and Viewpoints

Discover Viatris

By: Jennifer Mauer, Head of Global Communications and Corporate Brand and Executive Sponsor of VIVID

June 10, 2024

Authenticity: it’s a word you hear a lot these days. At a time when it can sometimes seem difficult to separate fact from fiction, we are hungry for what feels authentic, for what we know to be real. 

In June – marking the celebration of Pride in the U.S. and in many countries around the world – the concept of authenticity is more important now than ever. For any business to succeed, including Viatris, we must create an environment where people with diverse perspectives and backgrounds feel valued, respected and included; where they can show up as their true selves.

There are many good reasons to foster such an environment – because it is the kind thing to do, because it is the right thing to do – but from a practical perspective, it makes good business sense. People who are empowered to bring their authentic selves to their roles will deliver a better work result.

When we work in an ecosystem where we honor each other’s identity, we are creating a culture of trust. We are more open to sharing and accepting new ideas. We become better problem solvers, better teammates. We may also better reflect the world outside work. Simply put, authenticity is a critical building block for a thriving, inclusive workforce.

In the LGBTQ+ community, sharing your authentic self can require a great deal of courage and energy. You may not have the support of your family, even your parents and siblings. Or you may live in a part of the world where your true identity runs counter to social norms or the law. You may need to decide every day, with every new person you meet, whether and how to come out to that person, taking measure of what the potential fallout might be. 

When we make space for people to be authentic, we are also giving courage and energy to those who need it. We are telling them: your voice is powerful. You add value. You bring meaning to this, our collective task of empowering people worldwide to live healthier at every stage of life.

All of us play a role in making this environment a living reality. And while it may feel safer or more comfortable to do this quietly, it is critically important to do this out loud so people can hear us.

Creating space for authenticity is an active, ongoing effort; it isn’t a one-and-done deal. It is incumbent upon all of us, every day, to make sure that our colleagues know they can bring their authentic selves to work with pride. This might mean challenging ourselves to think differently about assumptions we have held for decades. It might mean taking time to celebrate different identities, cultures and traditions.

I am certain that we are up to the task – and in doing so, that we are empowering our people, our business and our world.