In a company as global as HARMAN, that mindset matters. We all bring different cultures, experiences, beliefs, and perspectives to work. Building an inclusive workplace isn't about expecting everyone to know the right words or have all the answers. It's about creating a culture where people feel safe to ask questions, challenge their assumptions, learn from one another, and keep growing.
Opening the session, John Livanos, Senior Vice President of Marketing of HARMAN’s Lifestyle division and audio’s most iconic brands, and Executive Sponsor of the Pride ERG, reminded attendees that regardless of our background, identity, or orientation, we all share the same fundamental human need: to be accepted for who we are. He emphasized that listening to one another's stories fosters empathy and helps create a workplace where everyone feels they belong. It was a fitting way to begin a conversation that ultimately showed allyship is not about having all the answers, but about being willing to listen, learn, and support one another.
People Can Change
One of the most memorable moments came from Ian, Distribution Account Manager, Consumer Audio who shared how his perspective has changed over the years.
Growing up in Ireland, Ian was raised in a society where homosexuality was not only socially stigmatized but remained illegal until 1993. Much of what he learned growing up reinforced the idea that being part of the LGBTQIA+ community was something to be condemned. Those beliefs shaped his worldview throughout his childhood and early adulthood.
What changed wasn't a single campaign or policy—it was people.
As friends, teammates, and musicians he admired came out, Ian found himself questioning everything he had been taught. The people he already respected hadn't changed. Only his assumptions had.
His story was a powerful reminder that while we don't choose the beliefs we're raised with, we do choose whether we continue to hold on to them.
Meet People Where They Are
That same openness to growth was reflected in Cristina's experience. Representing HARMAN's Automotive division, Cristina, a Software Engineer, Development Operations, shared how learning, and engaging in honest conversations helped shape her understanding of allyship.
She spoke candidly about how, early in her allyship journey, she often approached conversations from a place of frustration, believing people simply should know better. Over time, however, she realized that leading with empathy is often far more effective than leading with criticism. Understanding someone's background, listening first, and creating space for dialogue can open doors that judgment never will.
Cristina also shared an important lesson about good intentions. In one situation, she stepped in to defend someone before understanding whether they actually needed her help. Looking back, she realized that allyship isn't about assuming what others need—it's about listening first and supporting people in the way they want to be supported.
Allyship Is a Verb
For Alec, Principal Engineer, Acoustic Systems the conversation came back to one simple idea: allyship is action.
Being supportive isn't just about privately agreeing with inclusion. It's about continuing to learn, speaking up when something isn't right, and making your support visible.
Perhaps the most refreshing part of the discussion was that none of the panelists claimed to have everything figured out.
Instead, they openly acknowledged mistakes, uncertainty, and the reality that learning is rarely linear. Whether it was struggling with unfamiliar terminology, realizing that intentions don't always translate into positive outcomes, or recognizing that everyone starts from a different place, the conversation reinforced an important truth:
Most allyship is imperfect and that's okay
Progress doesn't come from expecting perfection. It comes from curiosity and the willingness to keep learning—even after getting something wrong. That honesty clearly resonated with attendees.
That is exactly what HARMAN's Global Pride ERG continues to foster: spaces where honest conversations can happen, questions are welcomed, lived experiences are shared, and learning is encouraged without expecting perfection.
Closing the session, John Livanos challenged attendees to take the conversation beyond the webinar by enlisting others to become allies too. Because creating a culture of belonging doesn't happen through a single event—it happens one conversation, one action, and one person at a time.
At HARMAN, allyship isn't measured by never making mistakes. It's measured by having the courage to listen, to learn, and to keep showing up where it matters.
