Pride is Every Day—And It Starts in the Workplace

By Lizzi Whaley

I spend more time at work with my colleagues than I do at home.

We spend more time at work than almost anywhere else, and the culture we build isn’t just about what’s written in a company handbook—it’s about the everyday moments and the way we show up for each other.

I believe Pride should be every day… I also know that true inclusivity—Pride included—shapes workplace culture in profound ways. This February, Auckland’s Pride Month serves as a reminder—a celebration of authenticity and a moment to reflect on what real inclusivity looks like.

At its core, Pride isn’t just about policies, leadership, or workplace design (though those all matter). It’s about people. The same people who shape culture, who create environments where others feel safe enough to show up as their real selves, without hesitation. You can’t have a strong, supportive workplace culture if inclusivity isn’t part of it.

This past week has been one of the hardest I can recall. A major office move (yes leaving our beloved rainbow crossings), long days, a sick parent—all in the same week as the anniversary of losing the other. It has pushed me to my limits. And yet, the people around me—my team, my colleagues, my friends—have been my anchor. When you work in a place where you feel safe, supported, and valued, it changes everything.

My own Pride journey was no different—it, too, was shaped by the support of the people around me. Two very different times in life, but both deeply connected to culture. Because culture isn’t just what we say—it’s how we show up for each other. And showing up means making sure Pride isn’t just acknowledged but embedded in the way we work and lead.

I used to believe that as a leader, I had to be stoic, strong, and that showing vulnerability wasn’t an option. But I’ve come to realise that real leadership isn’t about holding it all together—it’s about creating a culture where others don’t feel they have to. Where everyone feels safe enough to be included, valued, and seen for exactly who they are.