In Conversation: Community @ HubSpot

From #peloton to #cocktail-club to #podcastnerds, our community groups are the heartbeat of HubSpot – and we have over 1000 of them! We understand that HubSpotters need to come to work as they are to grow better. That’s why, as part of our global Connect4 initiative to build extraordinary hybrid connections, we hosted our first Community Festival in May 2023: a fun-filled day to celebrate and connect with our communities, both in person and virtually. We called it #HubFest!

There is no denying that workplace communities can have a significant impact on employee well-being and productivity; They foster a sense of belonging and connection, creating a more positive and productive environment. We sat down with a handful of HubSpot community leaders to pick their brains about the communities they support, how they drive change, and how they best manage well-being at work, to name a few. Present…

👉 Please introduce yourself, the community you support, and how you drive change within HubSpot.

Diana Tober: Hi, I’m Diana (she/her), and I’m part of the Eco@HubSpot community. I’m based in the UK and have been working at HubSpot since July 2022. Eco@HubSpot is a community of environmentally conscious employees within HubSpot that drives change through employee engagement and activation across the company. By promoting sustainable practices and raising awareness of environmental issues, Eco@HubSpot encourages employees to make more environmentally friendly choices in their daily work lives, which in turn drives change across the company.

Colum Lowry: Hi, my name is Colum (he/she) and I’m part of the Families@HubSpot community. I’m based in Dublin, Ireland, and have been working at HubSpot since 2015. The Families@HubSpot employee resource group (ERG) ensures that HubSpot celebrates, connects, and supports parents and caregivers. Within the ERG, the Leadership Council is a mechanism to ensure that the needs of the community are understood and encouraged.

Kezia Chi: Hey! My name is Kezia (KEH-zee-uh, she/them) and I’m one of the co-leaders of the Asians@HubSpot community. We drive change at HubSpot by raising awareness of our diverse community, amplifying underrepresented voices within it, and educating people about our history and all the ways we continue to find joy, celebration, and solidarity in the many identities, ethnicities, and cultures we represent.

Asians@HubSpot is always looking for new ways to meet the unique needs of our community. We welcome fresh ideas, no matter who you are, how you identify, or where you sit within the HubSpot ecosystem. If you have something you think could be fun or helpful for our community, we want to hear about it!

Erika Jensen: Hello everyone! My name is Erika Jensen (she/her) and I’m a part of/supporting our LGBTQIA+ alliance community here at HubSpot. Our LGBTQIA+ community drives change by advocating for inclusive policies and benefits within our organization. This can include pushing for non-discrimination policies, challenging biases, raising awareness, universal health care coverage, and supporting transgender workers among many other initiatives. By actively engaging with our DI&B and leadership teams, we can continue to affect positive change that will foster a more supportive and accepting workplace for all HubSpot employees.

👉 How does HubSpot provide support and space for your community?

DT: HubSpot provides support and space for the Eco@HubSpot community by creating an environment where employees can connect and collaborate. Providing channels and tools for employees to share their interests, ideas and feedback in the field of sustainability, and to promote and bring sustainability campaigns to life. HubSpot celebrates achievements and encourages employee-led initiatives, fostering a culture of collaboration and support.

CL: At Families@HubSpot, we have a very open and safe interactive space where we can all communicate to share our experiences and advice to support each other through the different stages of parenting.

KC: Our Asians@HubSpot community is supported with a quarterly budget that we dedicate to programming and other initiatives throughout the year at HubSpot. We have the freedom to do with these funds what we think is best given the current climate and the wants and needs of our global community.

EJ: HubSpot has created a supportive and safe space for our LGBTQIA+ employees that helps provide a sense of belonging and connection.

Not only does this lead to increased employee engagement when it comes to events and resources, but it also has a noticeable impact on our HubSpotter’s productivity and satisfaction, which ultimately benefits our organization as a whole.

👉 How does HubSpot create a diverse and inclusive culture in general – what are some experiences that stand out for you?

DT: At Eco@HubSpot, we are committed to fostering a sustainable culture by covering a broad spectrum of topics, providing training and workshops, and equipping our employees with tools to reduce their environmental impact. At the beginning of the year, for example, we launched our Working Carbon Hybrid quiz, which offers practical tips for cutting your carbon footprint, whether you work from home or in the office. Our campaigns and activities are designed to attract and support employees, regardless of their location, because we believe that everyone has the power to make a positive impact on the environment.

CL: Within our Families@HubSpot ERG we cover a wide range of topics such as family friendliness, flexibility, parental leave experience and return are regularly reviewed, and training, workshops and other support provided with care duties.

KC: One of the things HubSpot does well is intentional programming. From an ERG perspective, there are always events that exist in a particular space for a specific community, combined with an event for the broader HubSpot organization for others. This helps provide an educational opportunity for people who, while not sharing the same identity as the augmented group, are curious to learn more or want to practice alliance.

Planning our HubTalk with Michelle Zauner was a particularly exciting experience! I was thrilled that our culture and DI&B teams led with intent and sought input and partnership from the Asians@HubSpot community.

EJ: The LGBTQIA+ ERG alliance plays a huge role in educating our colleagues and leaders about LGBTQIA+ issues, terminology and other best practices. In my personal experience, HubSpot has always done an outstanding job of organizing and building training sessions, workshops or campaigns to create a more inclusive and accepting workplace culture for everyone.

We truly embody the values ​​of the heart by not just talking the talk but walking the walk.

👉 And how does that translate to your workspace and experience at HubSpot?

DT: Eco@HubSpot fosters a deep sense of connection and purpose among employees. As HubSpotters, we have the opportunity to actively participate in existing campaigns and initiatives, share innovative ideas and updates, and celebrate achievements. We are empowered to contribute to our community at our own pace and level, with some of us choosing to be sustainability champions and lead initiatives while others offer invaluable support from the sidelines.

CL: This allows us to make connections to other parents in a hybrid world where many would not get the opportunity to meet or talk otherwise due to not being in a physical office.

KC: Fostering a culture of belonging is an achievement that is rarely recognized and is difficult to do well 100% of the time. One of the things I appreciate about HubSpot is our ability to stay humble as an organization and recognize where we still have work to do.

EJ: This translates into allowing our LGBTQIA+ identifying employees to be vocal advocates for our community here at HubSpot. We can help raise awareness of the importance of creating an inclusive environment for all employees and educate colleagues about the challenges facing the LGBTQIA+ community.

Our community brings different perspectives and experiences to the table, which can enrich discussions and decision-making processes. By evaluating and integrating these diverse perspectives, HubSpot can continue to make more informed decisions that benefit everyone.

👉 As it’s Mental Health Awareness Month, what are you doing to best manage your wellbeing at work?

DT: To maintain my sanity and happiness, I have incorporated several practices into my work routine. Before I dive into my day, I go for morning walks to get my body and mind humming. I also try to take regular breaks during the day and work on maintaining relationships with colleagues, family and friends. Plus, I’m a big fan of exercising throughout the week, whether that means flowing through a 30-minute yoga session or going for a short run. Keeping fit gives me energy and excitement for what’s next!

CL: I recently participated in an attentive morning initiative where I listened to external and internal speakers on the topic of prioritizing our mental health and got to know 5 pillars of strength.

KC: I worked hard to take myself for a walk every day in the beautiful pool next to my apartment. It’s a great way to reflect inward after a long day or clear your head after back-to-back meetings and demands. I also advocate for myself more when time away from work is needed, whether for a mental health day or time with family – it always serves as a great reminder of why I work in the first place!

EJ: Managing my well-being here at work is essential for me to maintain good mental health while preventing burnout.

However, I focus on being transparent in identifying and addressing the sources of stress during my workdays. This involves setting realistic expectations for my workload, taking breaks when needed, delegating tasks, canceling 1:1s when I just don’t have the ability, and seeking support from my colleagues or managers when I feel overwhelmed.

When I prioritize my mental health here at work, I am better equipped to handle stress, maintain a positive outlook, and experience a higher quality of life.

⭐ That’s it, folks!

You don’t have to stop learning about our communities there!

Learn more about HubSpot’s culture on our careers site and follow me HubSpot Life On Instagram as we continue to share the highlights of the employees, internal celebrations, learning and more.