At 3M, diversity is essential to innovation. “Different skills, experiences and abilities drive our company forward,” says 3M Chief Diversity Officer Rhonda Graves. Diversity is so key to 3M that “build high-performing, diverse teams of global talent” is one of the company’s six core strategies.

“Our global mindset means we see the world from multiple perspectives, making decisions that work both locally and globally,” Graves says. “Embracing diversity across cultures and markets is essential to our success. Our global workforce of 90,000 employees in 70 countries and our inherently collaborative culture help us generate more ideas, which yield more innovative solutions,” she adds. “Diversity is embedded in everything we do. It’s part of who we are and how we operate. From our corporate strategies to our Code of Conduct and Leadership Behaviors, it’s a way of life at 3M.”

3M seeks diverse talent by attending recruiting events like the American Indian Sciences and Engineering Society, National Black MBA Association and the Asian MBA. Hiring diverse talent is critical, but equally important is retention. “Diversity is why people come to 3M,” says 3M Chief Executive Officer Inge Thulin, “but inclusion is why they stay.” The company strives for an inclusive work environment where employees feel safe, engaged and free to create and innovate. Inclusivity is integral to 3M’s Leadership Behaviors; all employees are assessed on how well they adopt these behaviors to achieve results. To help bring the topic of inclusion to the forefront, 3M launched an initiative in 50 countries called “I’m in,” strengthening and building upon a culture where all employees feel valued and free to bring their authentic selves to work each day.

Educating employees about diversity and inclusion is an ongoing priority at 3M. Global development reached more than 20,000 employees worldwide in 2014. In the past two years, more than 50 percent of 3M’s U.S. supervisors attended foundational Diversity & Inclusion workshops. In addition, 3M has embedded a Diversity & Inclusion component into their leadership programs and onboarding of new employees and supervisors.

3M is proud to support 10 thriving Employee Resource Networks (ERNs). These ERNs include the Women’s Leadership Forum, Disability Awareness Network, Military Support Network and many groups representing cultures around the world.

3M has received extensive recognition for its commitment to diversity, including being named one of Fortune’s Most Admired Companies of 2015 and a Best Place to Work by the Human Rights Campaign for LGBT Equality. 3M is also a Top 20 Supporter of Historical Black Colleges/Universities (HBCU). Diversity extends to 3M’s board: 20 percent are women, and for three years, 3M has been recognized by the 2020 Women on Boards organization for having reached this goal.
“Our commitment to diversity is a core 3M value,” Thulin says. “3M is unified and inspired by a common vision and an inclusive culture. This culture is good for our people, our company, and our focus on creating innovate solutions as we apply science to life.”